ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Avian Influenza

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her written statement of 15 November 2005, Official Report, column 48WS, on avian influenza (epidemiology report), what species or sub-species the mesias from the quarantine facility in Essex were from; and whether that species or sub-species is indigenous to Taiwan.

Ben Bradshaw: The species of mesia was Leiothrix argentauris." This species is indigenous to Taiwan.

Avian Influenza

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the pooling of samples of different species and different origins delayed the determination of the source of the H5N1 avian flu virus detected from samples taken from dead birds in the quarantine facility in Essex.

Ben Bradshaw: The pooling of samples for virus isolation does not cause any delays.

Avian Influenza

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the reasons for the presence of H5N1 infection in mesia birds from two cages separated by five other cages and for the absence of infection in the birds of other species in the intervening cages.

Ben Bradshaw: The two cages housing the mesias were not separated by five other cages.

Avian Influenza

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many Surinam caiques were sampled by her Department's staff from the quarantine facility in Essex in which the avian influenza virus H5N1 was isolated.

Ben Bradshaw: One caique from Surinam was examined for the presence of avian influenza virus, including the H5N1 strain. No virus was detected.

Avian Influenza

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment she made of the merits of requiring all sales of birds to be recorded before introducing the ban on sales at bird fairs;
	(2)  for what reasons she has prohibited the sale of birds at bird fairs.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 28 November 2005
	Following a veterinary risk assessment and discussions with stakeholders, a precautionary approach to gatherings which involve the sale of birds was taken as these increase the risk of dissemination of infection and present a high risk. This is because when ownership changes hands, birds will be spread over a wider area in comparison to gatherings where birds are merely exhibited and returned to the premises of origin. Therefore sales from exhibitions, shows, fairs or other gatherings are not allowed. Recording sales would not help to prevent the spread of avian influenza in the event of a disease outbreak.
	We are able to licence gatherings if following a veterinary risk assessment, they can be classified as presenting a low risk of transmission of avian influenza.

Avian Influenza

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the dates on which inspectors visited the bird quarantine centre in Fambridge, Essex during (a) each of the last three years and (b) the quarantine period of the mesias which died in quarantine.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 28 November 2005
	The information is as follows.
	(a) The premises were inspected by SVS as part of the annual licensing process in November 2002, December 2003, and on 20 December 2004. In addition the premises would have been visited by an LVI at least three times during all quarantine periods at the premises.
	(b) An LVI visited the premises on 18 September, 29 September and 20 October. In addition a pre-quarantine visit was undertaken on 7 September 2005.

Chlorofluorocarbons

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how much chlorofluorocarbon has been (a) recovered and (b) released into the environment from (i) refrigerators and (ii) other sources in the UK in each year since 1997;
	(2)  what data the Environment Agency collects on (a) chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) recovery levels and (b) the quality of CFCs released;
	(3)  what the average chlorofluorocarbon recovery levels were in each year since 2000.

Ben Bradshaw: The following information is available relating to recovery of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) from all equipment:
	387 tonnes in 2002
	494 tonnes in 2003
	427 tonnes in 2004.
	It is not possible to calculate how much CFC has been lost in the UK since 1997, or the quality of any CFCs released, as the quantity of CFCs in use in various applications over this period is not known.
	The average quantity of controlled substances recovered from the refrigerant and blowing agent that was subsequently destroyed in England and Wales for 2003 was approximately 236g per fridge. It is not possible to state what percentage of potential CFC available for recovery that the destroyed amount represents. One of the reasons for this is CFC loss during a product's service life and further loss that may occur in storage and transit.

Chlorofluorocarbons

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many recycling operations are recovering chlorofluorocarbons.

Ben Bradshaw: A number of facilities hold waste management licences for the treatment of waste refrigerators. Not all licensed facilities will be operational. Typically, there are a dozen specialist facilities recovering CFCs from domestic refrigerators.

Chlorofluorocarbons

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many investigations the Environment Agency is carrying out into the (a) mishandling and (b) failure to recover chlorofluorocarbons.

Ben Bradshaw: Licensed fridge treatment sites are regularly inspected by the Environment Agency. Operators of licensed facilities that do not comply with their licence conditions face enforcement action in line with the Environment Agency's Enforcement and Prosecution Policy. Over the past two years, the Environment Agency has successfully prosecuted several site operators. One prosecution in July 2004, resulted in a four-month prison sentence, others have resulted in substantial fines. The Environment Agency does not comment on investigations that are currently on-going.

Cuckmere Valley

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been spent to date by the Environment Agency on its plans to alter the nature of the Cuckmere Valley; what the budget is for the preparatory stage of this project; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: I understand the Environment Agency has spent £394,000 out of a budget for preparatory work of £444,000. These figures include an allowance for agency internal staff costs.
	The preparatory stage should be completed in April 2006 after which the Regional Flood Defence Committee will consider the appropriate way forward for future flood risk management. The agency will then undertake wider consultation on options with the intention of reaching agreement for the future management of the estuary, identifying necessary future works and possible funding routes to implement these.
	Existing flood defences are reaching the end of their life and are increasingly ineffective against sea level rise. The Environment Agency spends between £30,000 and £50,000 per annum maintaining the defences in this area and ensuring that the river can adequately discharge into the sea.

Flood Prevention

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will visit Shrewsbury to discuss the need for further flood prevention measures.

Elliot Morley: I am always keen to see how Government policy and funding can contribute constructively to effective flood risk management in practice. I visited Shrewsbury in 2000 with the Prime Minister and on other occasions. I am interested in the flood risk problems there and in finding solutions to them as far as possible.
	I understand the Environment Agency recently invested £3.5 million as part of an overall £6 million flood risk management improvement project in Shrewsbury, is considering carefully the case for further investment which is however problematic in some areas, and has explained the position to people affected by flood risk.
	The agency has distributed its draft fluvial severn strategy to a broad range of consultees, including Members of Parliament for the affected areas, for comment prior to finalisation in 2006. This considers a number of options for all flood prone areas along the River Severn and, together with the agency's River Severn catchment flood management plan, will provide the agency with a framework for the management of flood risk. Given all avenues either have been or are being explored and the limited scope for further works in the immediate future, I see little point in raising people's hopes by another Ministerial visit at this time.

Flood Prevention

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to prevent flooding in the Underdale area of Shrewsbury.

Elliot Morley: Following completion of the Environment Agency's £3.5 million Frankwell flood alleviation scheme, the scope for further flood risk improvement works in Shrewsbury in the immediate future is limited by benefit cost issues and the relative priority of these works against the need for investment in other locations.
	I understand the agency assessed Underdale Road for inclusion in trials of temporary" defences (that is flood defences which would remain permanently at hand, to be raised temporarily during periods of heightened flood risk). However the benefits from such works proved insufficient in relation to justification of costs in the region of £460,000.
	The agency's draft fluvial severn strategy considers a number of options for all flood prone areas along the River Severn and, together with the agency's River Severn catchment flood management plan, will provide the agency with a framework for the management of flood risk in the longer term.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Brian Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will produce an annual report on greenhouse gas emissions and present it to Parliament.

Elliot Morley: If passed, the Private Member's Bill entitled Climate Change and Sustainable Energy would require such a report to be made to Parliament by the Prime Minister.
	The Bill successfully received its Second Reading on 11 November and has been sent to Standing Committee. During that debate, the Minister for Energy indicated that the Government would support the relevant clause subject to it being amended to the effect that producing such a report would be the responsibility of the Secretary of State.
	DEFRA produces an annual inventory of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions and various other reports to comply with our international obligations both to the EU and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Brian Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will introduce legislation creating legally-binding targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Elliot Morley: The UK already has a legally binding target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5per cent. during the 2008–12 period under the Kyoto protocol.

Mobile Phones/Printer Cartridges

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research has been conducted (a) by and (b) for her Department relating to the recycling and reuse of (i) mobile phones and (ii) printer cartridges.

Ben Bradshaw: No research has been conducted by or for the Department relating specifically to the recycling and reuse of mobile phones or printer cartridges.

Quad Bikers

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what complaints her Department has received on the inappropriate and illegal use of walking trails by quad bikers.

Jim Knight: I am not aware of any specific complaints about the inappropriate and illegal use of walking trails by quad bikers.
	However, we have received a significant number of representations regarding the illegal use of other motorised vehicles on rights of way and off road land.

Quad Bikers

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action her Department has taken to enforce laws regarding proper trail and land use by quad bikers.

Jim Knight: We have received a significant number of representations regarding the antisocial and illegal off-road use of motorised vehicles.
	There already exists a range of statutory powers that, when used as part of a co-ordinated strategy, can prove effective in dealing with the inappropriate use of motor vehicles off-road. The Government will shortly be issuing guidance to help the police and local authorities tackle motor vehicle misuse. The guidance will set out the range of powers already available and will draw on existing best practice examples of police and local authorities working in successful partnerships.
	Copies of this guidance will be placed in the Library of the House.

Refrigerators

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what target her Department has set for the amount of chlorofluorocarbons that should be recovered from refrigerators in each year;
	(2)  how many refrigerators were recovered with their reservoir of chlorofluorocarbons gas (a) empty and (b) intact in each of the last 10 years.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government do not set a target for the amount of CFG that should be recovered from refrigerators in each year because it is not possible to know in advance how many refrigerators will be presented for treatment, the proportion that contained CFCs when manufactured, or the proportion of CFCs that will have been lost in use, storage or transit.
	The recovery facilities do not record whether or not each fridge presented for treatment has a full charge of CFG in its coolant circuit. This is because the operator of the facility will not always know how much CFG an individual fridge contained when it was manufactured, and CFG recovery is measured over a large batch of units and it is not practical to record recovery on a fridge by fridge basis.

Sustainable Development

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made under the UK's presidency in relation to the sustainable development agenda.

Elliot Morley: Defra is seeking to promote sustainable development through the full range of its business by ensuring that all its dossiers fully address environmental, economic and social impacts. Our approach is underpinned by the need to make progress on Better Regulation. The European Commission's proposal for a Review of the EU Sustainable Development Strategy—a UK priority—will not be published until mid-December but we will be supporting the forthcoming Austrian Presidency to achieve their aim of completing the review by June 2006.

Timber

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps are being taken to reduce the amount of illegal timber entering the United Kingdom.

Elliot Morley: The UK is taking a range of steps to reduce the amount of illegal timber entering the United Kingdom.
	The European Commission published its Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan in May 2003. This describes a package of measures to tackle illegal logging, including proposals that the EUenters into partnership agreements with timber producing countries to establish a licensing system designed to identify products and license them for export to the EU.
	The UK is delighted that the proposal for a licensing system received political agreement at the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 24 October 2005, under the UK's Presidency of the European Union. This will be adopted in December 2005. The UK, with other EU partners, is already discussing possible agreements with timber producing countries, including Ghana and Malaysia. It is hoped that these agreements will be finalised soon. This will mean that the amount of illegal timber entering the United Kingdom from these countries will reduce.
	The FLEGT Action Plan also proposes that the Commission look at other options to tackle illegal logging, including using Government procurement and introducing legislation to prevent the importation of illegally logged timber at a member state or EU level. Government awaits the European Commission's report, which will allow us to take this work forward, including the options for action at the UK level.

Veterinary Laboratories Agency

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many diagnoses made by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency in Weybridge were found to be incorrect in (a) each of the last three years and (b) this year to date; and what these figures represent as a percentage of overall diagnoses.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 28 November 2005
	Diagnoses are a matter of veterinary judgment, usually made on the basis of a combination of clinical signs and test results. In some cases post mortem finding are also available. The following figures give the total number of tests completed and the number of complaints recorded that relate to test results. Some errors in test results are detected by the VLA ISO17025 UKAS quality system after reporting (eg during audit). These are notified to customers but do not necessarily result in a complaint. Estimates of these are also provided.
	
		
			  Number of tests reported Number of complaints received regarding test results Number of incorrect test results notified to customers Incorrect test results as percentage of total 
		
		
			 April 2002-March 2003 3,359,922 4 <25 <0.001 
			 April 2003-March 2004 2,672,385 4 <25 <0.001 
			 April 2004-March 2005 2,910,318 4 <25 <0.001 
			 April 2005-October 2005 1,102,816 4 <25 <0.002

Veterinary Laboratories Agency

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many diagnoses made by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency in Weybridge were contested in (a) each of the last three years and (b) this year to date; and what these figures represent as a percentage of overall diagnoses.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 28 November 2005
	Diagnoses are a matter of veterinary judgment, usually made on the basis of a combination of clinical signs and test results. In some cases post mortem finding are also available. The following figures give the total number of tests completed and the number of complaints recorded that relate to test results. Instances when customers contact the VLA to discuss a test result or diagnosis but make no complaint are not recorded in a manor that permits analysis. In some of these cases it may be that customers are questioning a result or diagnosis but are content with the explanation given and make no complaint.
	
		
			  Number of tests reported by VLA Number of complaints received regarding test results Complaints as a percentage of tests reported 
		
		
			 April 2002-March 2003 3,359,922 4 0.0001 
			 April 2003-March 2004 2,672,385 4 0.0001 
			 April 2004-March 2005 2,910,318 4 0.0001 
			 April 2005-October 2005 1,102,816 4 0.0004

TRANSPORT

Correspondence

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Brent, East dated 22 March on behalf of MsChristine Hilder and Mr. Carl Ernsting.

Karen Buck: The Department had no trace of receiving the letter from the hon. Member for Brent, East dated 22 March at the time but a copy was obtained from her office on 30 November. The subject matter is one for which Ministers at HM Treasury have responsibility and they will be replying to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will amend regulations to prevent the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency from providing names and addresses of vehicle owners to private companies and individuals.

Stephen Ladyman: I will be making a written statement on Friday 2 December.

Integrated Kent Franchise

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce a decision on the Integrated Kent Franchise.

Derek Twigg: I refer the hon. Member to the written statement made to the House by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State on 30 November 2005, Official Report, columns 33–34WS, advising that the Integrated Kent Franchise Agreement had been signed by GoVia, who are now contracted to run the franchise from 1 April next year.

M5 Traffic Flows

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will conduct a full evaluation of traffic flows at Junction 12 on the M5, including (a) queuing on the slip road and (b) related use of the B4008.

Stephen Ladyman: holding answer 30 November 2005
	A study of the operation of Junction 12 on the M5 is due to be completed by May 2006. The study will incorporate a survey to evaluate traffic flows at the junction, including use of the B4008. This initial survey is programmed for completion during January 2006.

Railways

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the costs of maintenance on the rail network have been in each winter since 1999–2000, broken down by region.

Derek Twigg: Network Rail is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the rail network. Network Rail will respond directly to the hon. Member.

Railways

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what subsidy the Government have given to the railway industry in each year since 1997.

Derek Twigg: Details of historic Government support to the rail industry are set out in table 6.2a of the latest edition of National Rail Trends, copies of which are in the Library of the House.

TREASURY

Bio-fuels

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policy on duty rates on fuel from pure vegetable oil in relation to duty rates on conventional fuels.

John Healey: A reduced rate of duty for biodiesel was introduced in July 2002 in recognition of its environmental benefits and its higher production costs than conventional diesel. Fuel produced from vegetable oil is eligible for this lower rate (currently 27.10 pence per litre) if it meets the legal definition of biodiesel for tax purposes set out in section 2AA of the Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979.

Child Trust Fund

Edward Davey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research his Department has carried out into the income levels of eligible families who have opened child trust fund accounts relative to eligible families who have not.

Ivan Lewis: Parents have up to a year from the issue of the Child Trust voucher in which to open an account for their child and this period has yet to expire for the first vouchers issued. The income level of eligible families who do not open accounts is something that the Government will want to look at alongside other research. This includes qualitative research with parents in lower income households to make sure that the materials sent to parents are likely to appeal to the target audience.

Child Trust Fund

Edward Davey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many child trust fund accounts have been opened in England, broken down by ethnicity of the child.

Ivan Lewis: This information is not available. Information on the global number of Child Trust Fund accounts opened is available at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/child_trust_funds/child-trust-funds.htm

Child Trust Fund

Edward Davey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many child trust fund accounts have been opened since the programme began, broken down by region.

Ivan Lewis: This information could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	The latest quarterly Child Trust Fund statistics were published on 30 November 2005 at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/child_trust_funds/child-trust-funds.htm

Child Trust Fund

Jim Sheridan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households in Paisley and Renfrewshire North have opened child trust fund accounts.

Ivan Lewis: Child trust fund information at constituency level would be available only at disproportionate cost. UK-wide information on the number of child trust fund vouchers issued and the number of accounts opened are published on the HMRC website at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/child_trust_funds/child-trust-funds.htm. Data showing activity to 20 November was published on the 30 November 2005.

Corporation Tax (Lancashire)

Nigel Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much corporation tax was raised from businesses in Lancashire in each year since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: The information is not available to estimate the amount of corporation tax raised from businesses in Lancashire in each year since 1997.

Endowment Mortgages

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on endowment mortgage complaints that are upheld by the Financial Ombudsman Service and rejected by insurance companies.

Ivan Lewis: For the last full financial year (ending 31 March 2005), the Financial Ombudsman Service received 69,737 mortgage endowment complaints. In the same period, the ombudsman service resolved 48,018 of these cases, of which 47.3 per cent. were upheld (either wholly or in part) in the consumer's favour.

Endowment Mortgages

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints about endowment mortgages were made to the Financial Ombudsman Service in each of the last five years; and how many were upheld.

Ivan Lewis: The Financial Ombudsman Service brought together eight separate dispute resolution schemes covering the financial services sector and assumed its powers under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 on 1 December 2001. The following table shows the number of mortgage endowment cases received by the ombudsman service in each full financial year since year ending 31 March 2001 and shows the percentage breakdown of resolved cases upheld (either wholly or in part) in the consumers favour.
	
		
			  Year ending Mortgage endowment complaints received Percentage of resolved cases upheld 
		
		
			 2004–05 69,737 47.3 
			 2003–04 51,917 32.5 
			 2002–03 13,750 45.8 
			 2001–02 14,595 n/a 
			 2000–01 9,067 n/a 
		
	
	n/a=Not available.

Endowment Mortgages

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints about endowment mortgages were upheld by the Financial Ombudsman Service but were then rejected by the insurance company in each of the last five years.

Ivan Lewis: Once an ombudsman has made a final decision it is binding on the firm, if the consumer accepts it. Where a final decision has been issued and a firm has failed to comply with an award made by an ombudsman, the ombudsman's decision is then enforceable in court. No records are available on the number of enforcement actions of this nature that are taken.

EU Accounts

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the recent auditing of the EU accounts.

Ivan Lewis: As always, we are studying the European Court of Auditors Report on the 2004 EC Budget carefully as we attach a great deal of importance to financial management. It is disappointing that, for the eleventh year in succession, the European Court of Auditors has been unable to give a positive statement of assurance on the EC Budget for 2004. It is encouraging, however, that there have been noticeable improvements since 2003 with pre-accession expenditure once again being cleared, as it was in 2002, and, for the first time, certain areas of agricultural expenditure also gaining clearance. This has meant that around 35 percent. of EC Budget expenditure was cleared in 2004 compared with only 6 percent. in 2003. The council, led by the UK presidency, has for the first time taken action, agreeing conclusions on 8 November 2005 that will contribute to bringing about a step change in financial management and control.

Illegal Drugs

John Spellar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many deaths in Sandwell illegal drugs were the primary cause in each year since 1997.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell to Mr. John Spellar, dated 1 December 2005
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking in how many deaths in Sandwell, illegal drugs were the primary cause in each year since 1997. (33281)
	Figures readily available from death certification relate to deaths due to drug poisoning, not the total number that were attributable to drug use. These figures are produced from a special database which contains deaths where the underlying cause was drug poisoning. Deaths that may be caused indirectly by drug use, for example HIV infection or road traffic accidents, are not included. Death registration data are not the best source of information on these indirect" deaths, because information on the role of drug use in the death may not be provided on the death certificate.
	The most recent year for which figures are available is 2003. There were 12 deaths certified as due to drug poisoning 1 and involving drugs controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act to residents of Sandwell 2 in the seven years 1997 to 2003.3 A further breakdown by year is not possible because of the small numbers of deaths involved.
	1 Defined using the following codes from the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision for 2001–2003: F11-F16, F18-F19, X40-X44, X60-X64, Y10-Y14, X85 and the following codes from the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision for 1997–2000: 292, 304, 305.2–305.9, E850-E858, E950.0-E950.5, E962.0 and E980.0-E980.5.
	2 Usual residents of Sandwell. 3 Data are for deaths occurring in each calendar year.

Low-income Families

David Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to encourage saving among families on low incomes.

Ivan Lewis: In addition to tax-relief on savings offered to all adults, the Government are using the Saving Gateway to explore how matching can encourage families on lower incomes to start saving. As announced in Budget 2005, the second Saving Gateway is now up and running and accounts will run for 18 months. Evidence gathered through this pilot will be used to inform the development of matching as a central pillar in the Government's strategy for promoting saving and asset-ownership.
	Additionally, the Government have introduced the child trust fund, a groundbreaking initiative designed to strengthen the saving habit of future generations. Every child born on or after 1 September 2002 receives a £250 voucher from the Government to invest in a long-term savings and investment account with families on lower incomes receiving £500. Family and friends can add up to £1,200 a year to each account and there is no tax for them to pay on any interest or gains made on this money.

Milton Keynes Development

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department has spent since 1975 on land purchase and infrastructure to enable the development of Milton Keynes; and what payments have been returned to his Department through (a) the Milton Keynes Development Corporation, (b) the Commission for New Towns and (c) English Partnerships in that period.

Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested will take some time to collate, I will write to my hon. Friend in due course and a copy will be published in the Official Report.

National Insurance (Freelance Musicians)

Lynne Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he consulted (a) the Musicians' Union, (b) the Association of British Orchestras, (c) individual major orchestras, (d) the Arts Council for (i) England, (ii)Scotland, (iii) Wales and (iv) Northern Ireland and (e) Ministers in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on requirements for freelance self-employed musicians and the orchestras and ensembles that engage them to pay Class 1 national insurance contributions.

Dawn Primarolo: The changes were introduced on 17 July 1998 following a press release by the Social Security Minister, John Denham on 15 July 1998. At the time responsibility for national insurance liability for entertainers which included actors, singers or musicians fell to the Department for Work and Pensions, or as it was known then the Department of Social Security. The Department of Social Security consulted interested parties before the changes were introduced.

National Insurance (Freelance Musicians)

Lynne Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when (a) the Musicians' Union, (b) the Association of British Orchestras, (c) individual major orchestras and (d) the Arts Council for (i) England, (ii) Scotland, (iii)Wales and (iv) Northern Ireland were informed of requirements for freelance self-employed musicians and the orchestras and ensembles that engage them to pay Class 1 national insurance contributions.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department of Social Security, which was then responsible for policy on national insurance contributions issued a press release on 15 July 1998 to announce the revised national insurance arrangements for actors and musicians and changes to legislation from the 17 July 1998.

National Insurance (Freelance Musicians)

Lynne Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps were taken between 1988 and 2004 to recover extra revenues from orchestras and ensembles resulting from the 1998 requirements for freelance self-employed musicians and the orchestras and ensembles that engage them to pay Class 1 national insurance contributions.

Dawn Primarolo: When the regulations were introduced in 1998, employers (including orchestras) engaging entertainers covered by the regulations were expected to comply voluntarily with their obligation to pay Class 1 national insurance contributions.
	HMRC ensures employers' operation of their statutory obligations through its employer compliance programme. Employers are selected for visits on the basis of risk profiling. The potential widespread failure of orchestras to deduct Class 1 national insurance contributions did not become evident until 2004, when HMRC undertook customer support activity in the orchestra sector.

Nigeria

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much he expects the Government to be paid by Nigeria under the debt settlement agreed at the Paris Club in October; and what proportion this represents of 2006 UK overseas development assistance to Nigeria, excluding debt cancellation.

Ivan Lewis: On 20 October 2005, the Paris Club of official creditors agreed with Nigeria to write off approximately $18 billion, or 60 per cent., of Nigeria's debt to those creditors. Nigeria will use part of its oil windfall to pay the remaining $12.4 billion of debts to creditors. As a result of this deal, at least $1 billion a year will be freed in Nigeria, which the authorities intend to use for poverty reduction including employing an extra 120,000 teachers and putting 3.5 million children into school.
	As part of the deal, the UK will cancel approximately £2.8 billion and receive payments of £1.66 billion. As the debts owed to the UK are denominated in a mix of currencies, these numbers may shift with exchange rates. DFID is supporting Nigeria by scaling up its assistance from £70 million in 2005–06 to £100 million in 2007–08 and encouraging the international community to increase its support to the country.

Pensioners

David Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government are taking to reduce the tax burden on old-age pensioners.

Ivan Lewis: Around half of pensioners pay no income tax.
	For those pensioners who do pay tax, individuals over 65 benefit from the more generous age-related personal allowances up to an income of £19,500. In 2005–06, these allowances are £7,090 for those aged 65 to 74 and £7,220 for those aged 75 and over.
	These allowances mean that no pensioner aged 65 or over will be required to pay tax on income of less than £136 a week in 2005–06.

Parliamentary Questions

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will answer questions 9840 and 13874 on tax credits from the hon. Member for Yeovil due for reply before the summer recess.

Dawn Primarolo: I have done so.

Terrorism

David Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the bank accounts which have been frozen since 11 September 2001 on the grounds of terrorist associations.

Ivan Lewis: Since 11 September 2001, 58 accounts have been frozen in respect of individuals and entities suspected of involvement in terrorism. The aggregate value of accounts frozen is just under £400,000.
	A consolidated list of individuals and entities subject to UK financial sanctions is available from the Bank of England website at:
	http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/publications/financial sanctions/current/index.htm
	Freezing action also prevents the flow of funds to listed individuals and entities asset freezing is part of theGovernment's overall strategy to create a hostile environment for terrorism and safeguard financial systems. A value cannot easily be put on those wider effects.

VAT

David Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what proportion of average household expenditure is (a) taxable at the standard rate of VAT, (b) taxable at the reduced rate of VAT, (c) taxable at the zero rate of VAT and (d) exempt from VAT; and what the equivalent figure was in (i) 2001, (ii) 2002, (iii) 2003 and (iv) 2004;
	(2)  what changes in the rate of value added tax havebeen introduced in each year since 1 January 1995;and what the rate of value added tax was in each year.

Dawn Primarolo: Estimates of the proportions of household expenditure on goods and services subject to different VAT rates are available up to 2003. These estimates and changes in VAT rates and principal goods and services covered by different rates are published by HM Revenue and Customs in the VAT Factsheet which can be found at www.uktradeinfo.co.uk

Vehicle Excise Duty

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will widen the vehicle excise duty bands to encourage use of more efficient vehicles.

John Healey: The Chancellor considers relevant economic, social and environmental factors when deciding taxation policy. Any changes will be announced in the context of the Budget.

WALES

Departmental Entertainment

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what expenditure was incurred by the Wales Office on entertaining in each year since 2002–03.

Peter Hain: The expenses incurred by the Wales Office on entertainment for the following years were:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 2002–03 6,313 
			 2003–04 4,804 
			 2004–05 4,785 
		
	
	Figures for financial year 2005–06 will be available in April 2006.

Departmental Estate

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what (a) land and (b) property his Department (i) owns and (ii) rents in each constituency; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Hain: The Wales Office owns the land and property at Gwydyr House, Whitehall in London—constituency Westminster. The Department also leases office space at Discovery House, Scott Harbour in Cardiff Bay—constituency Cardiff South and Penarth.

Departmental Expenditure

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department and its agencies have spent on (a) the design and production of new logos and (b) employing external (i) public relations and (ii)graphic design agencies in each year since 2000, broken down by project.

Peter Hain: The Wales Office was established on 1 July 1999. The only expenditure during the financial year 2000–01 was when the Department spent (a) £2,728 on designing of the Wales Office Logo; (b) (i) Nil; and (b) (ii) £13,566 on developing its website.

Departmental Research

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what research projects commissioned by his Department are being undertaken; and what the publication arrangements are in each case.

Peter Hain: None.

Homelessness (Cardiff)

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many individuals in Cardiff were homeless in each year since 1995; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Hain: Information is not available in the form requested. The number of unintentionally homeless households in each year was:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1995 533 
			 1996 318 
			 1997 292 
			 1998 586 
			 1999 350 
			 2000 356 
			 2001 679 
			 2002 925 
			 2003 832 
			 2004 834 
		
	
	Source:
	WHO12 returns, Welsh Assembly Government
	Extra priority needs categories were added in 2001, resulting in an increase in the figures from that year.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Magazine Distribution

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the recent Office of Fair Trading report on magazine distribution arrangements.

Gerry Sutcliffe: In response to a request from parties in the industry, the Office of Fair Trading is in the process of providing an opinion on the compatibility with competition law of distribution agreements for newspapers and magazines. A provisional opinion was published in May 2005. A final opinion is likely to issue in the early part of 2006.

Energy Prices

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the effect of energy prices on high energy users.

Alan Johnson: The high spot prices for gas in the past weeks have meant very tough times for high energy users such as the chemicals industry, paper and steel. Some have responded by curtailing production or switching to alternative fuels.
	Prices for small and medium-sized businesses, and domestic consumers, despite increases over the past year, are still some of the most competitive in Europe.

Science Cities Initiative

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what funding he proposes to allocate from the science budget for the Government's science cities initiative.

Barry Gardiner: There are no plans to allocate dedicated funding for science cities from the science budget. However, existing funding streams for science and innovation can potentially support science cities, including the Higher Education Innovation Fund, worth £100 million per annum, supporting universities' collaboration with business; and the Science Research Infrastructure Fund, which provides capital funding of £500 million per annum to renew university infrastructure. These funding streams already require universities to develop their implementation strategies in light of regional priorities. In addition, the Regional Development Agencies, who lead on the development of science cities, have their own science and innovation funding programmes, from which science cities can be supported. The Government will continue to work with the RDAs to consider how local, regional and national policies can best work together to support science cities.

WTO Meeting

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on negotiations with the USA in preparation for the World Trade Organisation ministerial conference in Hong Kong.

Ian Pearson: The Government are in regular contact with the United States at all levels, official and ministerial, on a range of trade issues, including prospects for progress at the forthcoming ministerial conference in Hong Kong.

WTO Meeting

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the EU negotiating position for the forthcoming World Trade Organisation ministerial conference in Hong Kong.

Ian Pearson: The European Union will adopt a constructive and active approach to the negotiations at the forthcoming WTO ministerial conference in Hong Kong.
	The parameters of the EU's negotiating position are laid out in a succession of council conclusions.

Commission for Equality and Human Rights

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the creation of the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights.

Meg Munn: The Commission for Equality and Human Rights will be established through the Equality Bill, which is currently making good progress through Parliament. Work is under way looking at the practical issues before the Commission opens its doors in October 2007

Commission for Equality and Human Rights

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the staffing implications of the establishment of the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights.

Meg Munn: The staffing arrangements of the Commission will be clarified as the organisational structure is developed. This detailed work will start shortly and will be developed in close consultation with key stakeholders, including the existing Commissions and their staff.

Unscrupulous Lenders

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to protect vulnerable people from unscrupulous lenders.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow North West earlier today.

SMEs (Insurance)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of the level of insurance premiums on small and medium-sized businesses.

Barry Gardiner: I have not made a recent assessment. In Northern Ireland, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment's last assessment of insurance costs for firms there showed a 16.1 per cent. fall in the cost of premiums in 2004.

Cyber-Security

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to provide incentives for the private sector to improve its cyber security.

Barry Gardiner: None. This is an essential aspect of doing business in the information age and there is no case for offering incentives.

Fireworks

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to heighten public awareness of (i) the dangers of fireworks and (ii) the effects of fireworks on animals; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Department produces a number of resources for stakeholders and intermediaries to use in raising awareness of the dangers of fireworks; a safety toolkit for fire brigades, trading standards and safety practitioners, educational resources for teachers and safety leaflets for the general public, for retailers and for the organisers of public displays. The Department has also worked with The Blue Cross (a pet charity) to publish a leaflet giving advice on reducing the effects of fireworks on animals. In the run-up to 5 November, these resources were supported by a PR campaign, which secured coverage in the press, radio and broadcast media. DTI TV fillers were also given airtime by all the main broadcasters. We will review this publicity activity in the light of the fireworks injury statistics in order to plan future fireworks awareness activity.

Illegal Logging

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures are being taken to reduce the importing of illegally logged wood.

Elliot Morley: I have been asked to reply.
	The UK is working to reduce the importation of illegally logged wood through domestic, EU and international action. This action includes, at the domestic level, implementing a progressive timber procurement policy where central Government seeks to procure timber and timber products that are legal and sustainable. This is having an impact on the wider UK timber market.
	At the EU level, the UK was delighted that the EU Forestry Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) dossier received political agreement at the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 24 October 2005, under the UK's presidency of the European Union. This will allow the EU to enter into agreements with developing countries that export timber. These agreements will provide assistance to tackle illegal logging and back this assistance with a licensing scheme where the EU commits to only import timber licensed as being legal from those countries.
	At the international level, the UK, with other EU partners, is in discussion with a range of timber producing countries, including the Russian Federation, Ghana and Malaysia about action they could take to tackle illegal logging. The UK is also working with other major timber consuming countries. This included getting G8 countries to commit to a range of actions to tackle illegal logging at the G8 Environment and Development ministerial on 17–18 March 2005, part of the UK's G8 presidency.

Illegal Logging

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he plans to introduce legislation to prevent the importing into the United Kingdom of wood illegally logged elsewhere.

Elliot Morley: I have been asked to reply.
	The European Commission published its Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan in May 2003. This describes a package of measures to tackle illegal logging, including proposals that the EU enters into partnership agreements with timber producing countries to establish a licensing system designed to identify products and license them for export to the EU.
	The UK is delighted that the proposal for a licensing system received political agreement at the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 24 October 2005, under the UK's presidency of the European Union. Government believes that as a first step to address illegal logging, it is necessary to build consensus with producing countries and make sure that we do not discriminate against legitimate trade. The EU FLEGT licensing scheme, with its innovative approach of bilateral trade agreements and development assistance for improving forest governance, will achieve this in the first instance.
	The FLEGT Action Plan also proposes that the Commission look at other options to tackle illegal logging, including using Government procurement and introducing legislation to prevent the importation of illegally logged timber at a Member State or EU level. Government awaits this European Commission's report, which will allow us to take this work forward, including the options for action at the UK level.

Independent Schools

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Tradeand Industry if he will make a statement on the recent Office of Fair Trading report on independent schools.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Office of Fair Trading is the United Kingdom's independent competition regulator. It has a duty to investigate and address anti-competitive conduct and enforce competition law. It has investigated the exchange of information between independent schools about the fees they charge. Its provisional findings are that 50 schools have breached Chapter One of the Competition Act which prohibits anti-competitive agreements. This is a matter for the Office if Fair Trading. The Government have no substantive role in individual cases.

Ministerial Travel

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been spent in each year from 1 May 1997 on ministerial travel, broken down by (a) provision and running costs of vehicular transport, (b) first class travel by rail, (c) standard class travel by rail, (d) first class travel by air, (e) club or equivalent class travel by air and (f) economy class travel by air.

Alan Johnson: All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the 'Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers', copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.
	My hon. Friend and Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office has asked Roy Burke, chief executive of the Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA) to write to the hon. Member with details of the costs of ministerial vehicles provided to Departments in 2004–05. Copies of his letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
	For information for the financial years 2000–01 to 2003–04 I refer the hon. Member to the letters from the chief executive of the GCDA to the hon. Member for Buckingham (John Bercow) dated 10 January 2005 and to the then hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs dated 13 September 2003. Copies of these letters are available in the Libraries of the House.
	A breakdown of costs of domestic ministerial travel by rail, air and car, except for vehicles provided by the GCDA, is available for April 2004 to March 2005 and includes the cost of private office staff travelling with the Minister.
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 Rail 37,000 
			 Air 12,000 
			 Car 2,000 
		
	
	In respect of overseas travel by Ministers, since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing£500 or more during each financial year. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House. These report information for the financial years 1995–96 to 2004–05. Information for 2005–06 will be published as soon as it is ready after the end of the current financial year.

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

Legislation Implementation

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what measures will be taken to ensure small businesses have the necessary information and time to adapt to provisions in the Equality Bill and the equality provisions of the Work and Families Bill.

Meg Munn: Government will provide high quality guidance and information on relevant provisions in both Bills, including on the introduction of the CEHR, provisions protecting against discrimination on grounds of religion, belief and sexual orientation, and new work and families measures. Small business will be involved in any further consultation, including on additional paternity leave and pay.

Women's Pensions

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what recent discussions she has had with theDepartment for Work and Pensions on women's pensions.

Meg Munn: I had a constructive meeting with the Department for Work and Pensions and am pleased that fair outcomes for women is one of their principles for reform.
	Now that the Pensions Commission have reported, we will build on our previous discussions to tackle pension inequalities.

Women Entrepreneurs

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what steps the Government is taking to encourage women to start their own businesses.

Meg Munn: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for North West Norfolk some moments ago.

Women Entrepreneurs

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what measures the Government has in place to encourage more women entrepreneurs.

Meg Munn: Giving more women the option of starting a business provides clear economic and social benefits. The Government are working closely with the Women's Enterprise Panel and all nine Regional Development Agencies to improve business support services to female entrepreneurs. Our strong commitment to and strategy for encouraging women's enterprise is clearly stated in 'Promoting Female Entrepreneurship'.

Pregnancy Discrimination

Paul Burstow: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what steps the Government are taking to tackle pregnancy discrimination in the workplace.

Meg Munn: Employers who discriminate against women because of their pregnancy or maternity leave are breaking the law and damaging their own businesses. In October this year we amended the Sex Discrimination Act so that it is clear to all that treating women in this way is sex discrimination. measures in the work and families package will offer further practical steps to addressing pregnancy discrimination.

Gender Pay Gap

Ann McKechin: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what steps the Government are taking to reduce the gender pay gap in the small and medium-sized business sector.

Meg Munn: Action to date includes sponsoring the Equal Opportunities Commission to design an equal pay review kit specially for SMEs. We will build on this progress once Women and Work Commission report, and I am pleased that a Commissioner was brought in for her particular expertise on SMEs.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Andrew Cunningham (Statement)

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether Mr. Andrew Cunningham's statement at a recent conference on the drinks industry, the liberalisation of licensing laws and the nanny state" reflects Government policy.

James Purnell: Mr Cunningham's statement as reported in the media was part of a presentation given by him on licensing reform on behalf of the Department to a regional conference, hosted by the British Institute of Innkeeping for its members, at Cheltenham Racecourse on 29 October 2002. Mr Cunningham's comments then about the reform of licensing law were an explanation of current Government policy. His comments about nanny staters" were not a statement of policy. They were a personal observation made in response to a debate within the industry about, in particular, the merits of transferring the control of alcohol licensing from the licensing justices to local authorities. Mr Cunningham made the observation that if the industry allowed such an issue to divide them or to dilute their support for licensing reform, then opponents of reform could be expected to exploit that division. In referring generally to opponents of reform, Mr.Cunningham had used the expression nanny staters" in his speaking notes which were subsequently handed to representatives of the trade press attending and he subsequently apologised for this use of injudicious language. Mr Cunningham did not refer to any Members of Parliament or any other individuals during the course of the conference.

Drinking Age

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment the Government have made of the potential impact on crime and disorder of reducing the legal drinking age to 16 years.

James Purnell: The licensing White Paper, Time for Reform" set out the reasons for the Government's view that the legal age for purchasing and drinking alcohol should not be lowered. This included the danger of too early an exposure to alcohol in unsupervised circumstances.

Licensing

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what factors will be examined by her Department when assessing the impact of the Licensing Act 2003 on the 10 named scrutiny local authority areas; and when she expects to publish the results.

James Purnell: holding answer 28 November 2005
	The Scrutiny Council initiative is one strand of the Government's wider monitoring and evaluation programme to measure the impact of the Licensing Act 2003 against the four licensing objectives:
	prevention of crime and disorder;
	prevention of public nuisance;
	public safety; and
	protection of children from harm.
	The initiative will be active for about six months and will deliver real time indicators of how the new regime is operating. It will also provide evidence to support the initial review of the statutory Guidance, due by the end of February 2006, and full Guidance review due around autumn 2006.
	The following local authorities have been invited to become Scrutiny Councils:
	Birmingham City Council
	Blackpool Borough Council
	Brighton and Hove City Council
	Bristol City Council
	Cardiff County Council
	Havering London Borough Council
	Manchester City Council
	Newcastle Upon Tyne City Council
	Nottingham City Council
	Taunton Deane District Council

Licensing

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what advice the Government have given to (a) local authorities and (b) the police on planning enforcement for licensed premises opening at times permitted by their licensing consent when their planning consent does not permit them to open.

James Purnell: Guidance issued to licensing authorities under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003, which was also circulated to every Chief Constable of police, includes advice on the integration of planning and licensing regimes. It emphasises that applications for premises licences should normally be made by businesses with planning consent; should not be a re-run of the planning application; and should not cut across decisions taken by the local authority planning committee or following appeals against decisions taken by that committee. The Guidance also notes that the giving of a temporary event notice does not relieve the premises users from any requirements under planning law for appropriate planning permission where it is required. The enforcement of planning law is a matter for individual local authorities.

Licensing

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what dates since July 2003 her Department's Licensing Advisory Group has met; at which of these meetings the establishment of a central database of personal licence holders was discussed; and if she will make a statement.

James Purnell: The Licensing Advisory Group has met on approximately a monthly basis since July 2003. Issues around the Licensing Act 2003 and its implementation have been fully discussed during these meetings and did include the issue of the establishment of a central database of personal licence holders. However, these meetings are held under the Chatham House rule with no formal agenda or minutes taken of the discussions by the Group so it is not possible to be specific about when this particular issue was discussed.
	In 2004 the Group met on 15 January, 18 February, 15 April, 16 June, 13 July, 17 August, 15 September, 26 October, 25 November and 15 December. In 2005 it met on 19 January, 16 February, 15 March, 19 April, 16 May, 22 June, 27 July, 24 August, 28 September and 22 November.
	The establishment of a central licensing register is a matter which continues to be considered and discussed between the Government and representatives of the licensing authorities.

National Sports Foundation

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the Government expects to announce the (a) size, (b) location, (c) names of senior management, (d) budget and (e) operating procedures for the National Sports Foundation announced in the 2005 budget.

Richard Caborn: The Government, along with Sport England and the national governing bodies for football, cricket, tennis, rugby union and rugby league, are continuing to discuss and examine options on how most effectively to deliver the National Sports Foundation. A further announcement will be made shortly.

Physical Education

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what definition she uses of high quality physical education and school sport as required by 2004 public service agreement target number one.

Richard Caborn: The document High Quality PE and Sport for Young People" (DfES/DCMS, March 2004) provides a detailed description of the outcomes of high quality physical education and school sport For the purposes of the joint DCMS/DfES PE and school sport public service agreement target, high quality PE and school sport produces young people with the skills, understanding, desire and commitment to continue to improve and achieve in a range of PE, sport and health-enhancing physical activities, in line with their abilities.
	A further document, Do you have high quality PE and sport in your school?" (DfES/DCMS, January 2005), helps teachers to use the pupil outcomes of high quality to carry out self-evaluation of the quality of PE and sport they provide. Copies of these documents have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Public Service Agreements

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether she uses (a) averages over several years and (b) a straight comparison between two specific years for the purposes of measuring performance against 2004 public service agreement target 4.

James Purnell: The public service agreement target 4 performance measurement will focus on the change from one year to the next. In addition a cumulative average is used for evaluation purposes. In each case, the comparison is with the performance of the service sector as a whole.

Regional Casinos

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the impact of regional casinos on problem gambling.

Richard Caborn: The Government have taken a cautious approach to the development of new casinos, so that their impact in terms of problem gambling can be properly assessed. That is why the Gambling Act 2005 allows for the establishment of only one regional casino, eight large and eight small casinos. We will ask the Gambling Commission to advise on whether the introduction of these new types of casino has led to an increase in problem gambling no earlier than three years after the award of the first casino premises licence.

Television Licences

Anne Moffat: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many households in East Lothian are exempt from requiring a television licence under the exemption scheme for people over the age of 75 years.

James Purnell: People aged 75 or over are not exempt from the television licensing requirements but are entitled to a free licence. TV Licensing, who administer the concession as agents for the BBC, are not able to provide geographical breakdowns of the number of free licences issued. However, the number of households with at least one person aged 75 or over claiming the winter fuel payment in the East Lothian constituency in 2004–05 was 4,745, according to Department for Work and Pensions records.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the rules of engagement of the latest NATO deployment into Southern Afghanistan.

Adam Ingram: It has been the practice of successive Governments not to comment in detail on the Rules of Engagement under which our armed forces operate.

Army Vehicle Repairs

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Army Base Repair Organisation Bovington site contract servicing of individual sections of a vehicle will be carried out off-site by other contractors.

Adam Ingram: Wherever appropriate and cost effective, ABRO Bovington will undertake servicing of all major sections of vehicles. There may however, be times where it is necessary to carry out work through off-site contractors, particularly if capability or capacity is being created or upgraded to deliver new tasks.
	Some specialist tasks, notably on sub-assemblies will continue to be carried out using specialist off-site contractors.

Astute-class Submarines

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  when he expects to confirm the total number of Astute-class submarines to be built;
	(2)  when he will decide the final total of (a) Type 45 destroyers and (b) Astute-class submarines to be constructed.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 30 November 2005
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 20 July 2005, Official Report, column 1760W.
	Orders for the procurement of future Astute boats are being considered and announcements will be made at the appropriate time.

Astute-class Submarines

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the additional capabilities originally intended for the second tranche of Astute-class submarines which have been brought forward into the first tranche; and what the reasons were for this change.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 30 November 2005
	We are currently considering a number of possible technology enhancements for later Astute-class submarines, which it may be possible to fit into the earlier Astute-class submarines, but no decisions on this have been taken.

Departmental Assets

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the 10 most valuable (a) movable and (b) immovable assets owned by his Department.

Adam Ingram: The 10 most valuable movable and immovable tangible fixed assets owned by the Department, based on the current net book values (NBV) recorded in our asset registers, are as follows:
	
		£ million
		
			 Movable assets NBV 
		
		
			 HMS Albion 196.5 
			 HMS Bulwark 210.4 
			 HMS Talent 179.4 
			 HMS Torbay 180.3 
			 HMS Trenchant 207.0 
			 HMS Triumph 209.3 
			 HMS Vanguard 433.9 
			 HMS Vengeance 581.5 
			 HMS Victorious 473.1 
			 HMS Vigilant 525.0 
		
	
	
		£ million
		
			 Immovable assets NBV 
		
		
			 Chelsea Barracks, London (Land) (1)— 
			 Hyde Park Barracks, London (Land) 70.0 
			 Joint Services Command and Staff College, Watchfield 73.7 
			 MOD Main Building (Land) 62.5 
			 MOD Main Building, London 229.4 
			 RAF Northholt (Land) 193.0 
			 RAF Uxbridge Camp (Land) 195.5 
			 Salisbury Training Area 93.0 
			 Sandhurst Station and Barossa Common Playing Field  (Land) 60.0 
			 Wellington Barracks, London (Land) 65.0 
		
	
	(1)Figure withheld for reasons of commercial sensitivity as site is about to be marketed.

Departmental Expenditure

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of his Department's monthly financial submissions to the Treasury's general expenditure monitoring system for (a) financial years (i)2002–03, (ii) 2003–04 and (iii) 2004–05 and (b) the first six months of 2005–06.

Adam Ingram: Copies of the General Expenditure Monitoring Systems (GEMS) returns for 2002–03 and 2003–04 are available in the Library of the House. I will place a copy of the GEMS return for 2004–05 and the first six months of 2005–06 in the Library. The data on this return is broken down by requests for resources and includes resources within departmental expenditure limits, within annually managed expenditure and outside departmental expenditure limits.

Departmental Finance

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of the monthly forecasts of payment and receipts provided by his Department to the Treasury under its cash management scheme for (a) financial years 2002–03 to 2004–05 and (b) the first six months of 2005–06.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 28 February 2005, Official Report, column 963W to the hon. Member for Mid-Norfolk (Mr. Simpson). Copies of the forecasts for February 2005 to October 2005 will be placed in the Library of the House shortly.

Departmental Staff

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) existing and (b) former Ministry of Defence (i) Ministers and (ii) officials have taken up offers of employment with companies involved in the arms trade in the last (A) 10, (B) five and (C) two years.

Adam Ingram: Defence Ministers, members of the armed forces and the Ministry of Defence officials, like other Crown servants, are required to comply with rules on the acceptance of outside business appointments if they wish to take up other employment—whether in the defence industry or elsewhere—within two years of their retirement or resignation. It is not possible to determine whether those personnel that have joined companies in the defence industry have taken up specific employment in the arms trade.
	Information on the number of former Defence Ministers and senior MOD personnel who have taken up appointments with outside companies after leaving office is contained in Annual Reports that have been produced since 1996 by The Prime Minister's Advisory Committee on Business Appointments. Copies of these reports are available in the Library of the House.

Dundalk Bombing

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information has been requested from him by the Irish authorities in relation to the Dundalk bombing of 1975.

Adam Ingram: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has received no direct request. The Northern Ireland Secretary was asked by the Irish authorities to provide relevant material held by HMG on the Dundalk bombing of 1975 and, in fulfilling this request, he consulted my right hon. Friend.

European Rapid Reaction Force

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role he expects British forces to play in delivering combat logistics for the European rapid reaction force.

John Reid: There is no European rapid reaction force. Member states make national forces available for particular EU-led operations voluntarily and on a case-by-case basis.
	The EU Battlegroups initiative is delivering national and multinational units for very rapid reaction operations. Each Battlegroup is self-sufficient in support elements, including in combat logistics.

Fixed-wing Aircraft

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  which fixed-wing aircraft types will be available for service at sea in (a) 2012, (b) 2013 and (c) 2014 on present plans;
	(2)  if he will list the aircraft carriers which will be available to the fleet in (a) 2012, (b) 2013, (c) 2014, (d) 2015 and (e) 2016 on present plans.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 30 November 2005
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 15 November 2005, Official Report, column 1088W.

Gibraltar

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on industrial relations with the Gibraltar Services Police.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 28 November 2005
	Industrial relations with the Gibraltar Services Police are underpinned by a constructive and co-operative relationship between the Gibraltar Service Police Staff Association (GSPSA) and the Gibraltar Command. Work and dialogue continue with a view to strengthening the relationship. However, there are some difficulties arising from an on-going legal action brought against the command by the GSPSA concerning a disputed backdated pay claim; the case is currently subject to action in the United Kingdom.

Iraq

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 11 November, Official Report, columns 854–56W, on Iraq, whether British officials have issued an apology to the Iraqi authorities with regard to any aspect of the events of 19 and 20 September in Basra;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 11 November 2005, Official Report, columns 854–56W, on Iraq, what information he has received concerning the two alleged deaths in custody at the Jameat prison in Basra, with particular reference to (a) the identities, (b) circumstances involved and (c) dates of death of the victims;
	(3)  pursuant to the answer of 11 November 2005, Official Report, columns 854–56W, on Iraq, what the response has been from the Iraqi authorities to UK representations regarding alleged human rights abuses at the Jameat Prison.

Adam Ingram: No apologies have been given to the Iraqi authorities by officials in the Department with regard to any aspect of the events of 19 September. Some progress has been made in reforming elements of the Basra police which are implicated in alleged human rights abuses. Discussions are continuing. I am aware of two reported deaths of individuals in Iraqi custody in Basra. One occurred in April this year and the other in September. These are being pursued with the Iraqi authorities but it will be for them to decide which details are appropriate for public release when they have completed their investigations.

Iraq

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost has been to date of compensation paid by his Department to Iraqi citizens since 2003.

Adam Ingram: The total cost of compensation paid to date by the Ministry of Defence to Iraqi citizens since 2003 is £975,351, in respect of some 626 claims. The majority of these relate to property damage.

Joint Combat Aircraft

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons the joint combat aircraft was initially intended to be capable of operating from Invincible-class aircraft carriers; and why this requirement has now been dropped.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 30 November 2005
	The joint combat aircraft (JCA) was originally conceived in 1996 (as the future carrier borne aircraft) with a view to replacing the Harriers on the Invincible-class carriers. Following the strategic defence review in 1998, when the decision was made to build two large replacement carriers, it was decided to design and develop the JCA to operate from the new platforms.

Kenya

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his Kenyan counterpart on the renewal of the agreement with Kenya and the UK allowing British soldiers access to local training fields in Nanyuki and Isiolo; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Since my last discussion with the hon. Mirugi Kariuki MP, Assistant Minister for Provincial Administration and Internal Security, in February, detailed negotiations about adjusting the restrictions currently placed on where the British Army can conduct its training have been led by the British high commissioner in Nairobi. In the meantime, the Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of Kenya and the United Kingdom which expired in December 2004 has been extended.

Mutual Defence Agreement

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what definition he uses of the special nuclear materials referred to in the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement.

John Reid: The definition of special nuclear material referred to in the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement is that recognised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and is as detailed in article 1 of the IAEA's 1959 co-operation agreement with the United States of America.

Public Service Agreements

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will publish a Public Service Agreement delivery plan for 2004 Public Service Agreement target number 2.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answergiven on 21 November 2005, Official Report, column 1589W, by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary (Mr. Straw).

Royal Navy (Shore Establishments)

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list each of the Royal Navy's operational shore establishments in (a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland including training establishments and dockyards; how many (i) civilian employees and (ii) service personnel worked at each in (A) 1997, (B) 1990, (C) 1985 and (D)the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The Royal Navy Estate comprises of the following operational shore establishments, training establishments and dockyards:
	
		
			   Location Type of establishment 
		
		
			 Scotland   
			 Forward Operating Base Prestwick Prestwick Operational 
			 RM Condor Arbroath Operational 
			 HMNB Clyde Faslane Operational 
			 HMS Caledonia Rosyth Operational 
			
			 England   
			 RM Norton Manor Camp Taunton Operational 
			 RM Royal Citadel Plymouth Operational 
			 RM Turnchapel Plymouth Operational 
			 RM Bickleigh Barracks Plymouth Operational 
			 RM Chivenor Barnstaple Operational 
			 RM Stonehouse Plymouth Operational 
			 RM Poole Poole Operational 
			 HMNB Portsmouth Portsmouth Operational 
			 HMNB Devonport Plymouth Operational 
			 RNAS Culdrose Helston Operational 
			 RNAS Yeovilton Yeovilton Operational 
			 Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth Training 
			 HMS Collingwood Fareham Training 
			 HMS Sultan Gosport Training 
			 HMS Raleigh Torpoint Training 
			 CTCRM Lympstone Lympstone Training 
			 HMS Excellent Portsmouth Training 
			 Hazebrouck Barracks Arborfield Training 
			 Prince Philip Barracks Bordon Training 
			 Institute of Naval Medicine Gosport Miscellaneous 
			
			 Wales Nil  
			
			 Northern Ireland Nil  
		
	
	This list does not include Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Marine Reserve establishments or training areas.
	Information on civilian and naval personnel at individual Royal Navy and Royal Marine facilities is not held centrally, as different organisations and agencies may also have responsibility at the same location. This information could, therefore, be provided only at disproportionate costs. DASA publish a regular report detailing UK regular forces distribution across the UK. A copy of the current report (TSP10) is available in the Library of the House.

Submarines

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress with introducing the communications electronic support measures system aboard Trafalgar-class nuclear-attack submarines.

John Reid: Two Trafalgar class submarines have been fitted with Eddystone, the Royal Navy's latest communications electronic support measures system. A further two are currently being fitted.

Unarmoured Road Vehicles

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's policy is on the use of un-armoured road vehicles in the transportation of HM Forces personnel in (a) Iraq, (b) Northern Ireland and(c) Afghanistan; and if the policy changed in each case.

Adam Ingram: Both armoured and non-armoured vehicles are available for use in Iraq, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan. The choice of vehicle for a particular task on an operation will depend on the Commander's assessment of the current threat level and nature of the task. This policy has not changed since 2000.

Warships

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the running costs for each of the classes of vessel in service with the Royal Navy were in the last year for which figures are available; what the costs were in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: We do not manage costs on the basis of individual types of ships and the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Business Rates Revaluation (Gravesham)

Adam Holloway: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the impact of business rates revaluation on businesses in Gravesham; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The assessment of the impact of revaluation on businesses in England was integral to the setting of the non-domestic rating multiplier for 2005–06 and the transitional arrangements. This assessment was done at a higher level than that of individual businesses.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, dated 30 September, on behalf of Trevor Errington, Leader of the chief engineers and planning officers group support team.

David Miliband: I replied to my right hon. Friend on 27 November 2005.

Council Elections

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister from which (a) organisations and (b) individuals he has received representations (i) opposing and (ii) supporting a move to whole council elections for local authorities as outlined in the consultation document vibrant local leadership.

Phil Woolas: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has received nine representations in support of a move to whole council elections—one county council, six parish councils and one member of the public plus the elected mayor of Bedford borough council. Of the other respondents to the vibrant local leadership document who mentioned a change in election cycles, two parish councils were ambivalent, as was one borough council and one borough council opposed the move.
	Pursuant to my answer of 30 November 2005, seven local authorities are in the process of or have formally requested a change to whole council elections and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is now aware of two more local authorities that are considering changing their cycle: Waveney and Wokingham.

Firefighters (Life Insurance)

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent representations he has received regarding the availability of life insurance for firefighters; and whether all firefighters are covered by insurance in all of their duties.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has received a number of letters from Members of this House on personal insurance for firefighters in addition to the nine previous questions tabled in this and earlier parliamentary sessions. In addition, the Office of the deputy Prime Minister has received correspondence from Fire and Rescue Authorities and the Fire Brigades Union.
	Government do not provide insurance cover for firefighters. Any personal insurance is a matter of personal choice and should be seen in the context of the compensation scheme for firefighters. Firefighter pay, pension and injury arrangements reflect the nature of the job and the risks that may be incurred.

Housing

Anne Main: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the evidence from his officials to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions Committee on 17 October, if he will place in the Library the performance data for the last five years which his Department has collected in relation to monitoring local authorities' delivery of empty homes strategies; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 15 November 2005
	The information requested has been made available in the Library of the House.
	The information relates to best value performance indicator 64 which measures the number of private sector dwellings that are returned to occupation or demolished each year as a direct result of action by the local authority. The information made available in the Library of the House relates to local authority returns for best value performance indicator 64 for 2001–02, 2002–03 and 2003–04.
	The data provided in column 1 of the table (2001–02) is a percentage of private sector dwellings vacant for more than six months where the local authority has intervened leading to reoccupation or demolition.
	The data reflected in the remaining two columns (2002–03 and 2003–04) is the number of private sector vacant dwellings returned to occupation, or demolished in those years following intervention from local authorities.
	The difference in the way the data for this performance indicator is presented, reflects a change in the best value performance indicator (BVPI) itself and the how it is defined.
	Data for best value performance indicator 64 is not available before 2001–02 and none of the other performance indicators, relating to housing before 2001–02, are comparable with best value performance indicator 64.

Local Government Finance

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether his Department has made a written submissionto the Lyons Inquiry on local government finance.

Phil Woolas: I refer the hon. Member to the answergiven on 12 September 2005, Official Report, column 2431W.

Local Government Finance

Anne Main: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much additional funding will be allocated in 2005–06 to each council to cover costs of (a) licensing, (b) asylum-seekers, (c) pensions and (d) disposal of electrical equipment; and what formula is used to calculate these figures.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Government are working with the Local Government Association to consider the extent to which the areas referred to in the question create pressures on local authorities, and the steps which can be taken to address those pressures. The Government are committed to ensuring that local authorities can continue to deliver effective services without imposing excessive increases in council tax.

Primary Care Trusts

David Howarth: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance his Department has given to local authorities on the action to be taken when a primary care trust fails to pay (a) sums it owes to a social services authority under an agreement under section 31 of the Health Act 1999 and (b) its business rates; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The information is as follows:
	(a) None.
	(b) None

Supporting People Programme

Peter Bone: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the funding level for the supporting people programme in (a) England, (b) Wellingborough local authority and (c) East Northamptonshire local authority was in each of the last three years; and what funding is planned for 2005–06 in each case.

Phil Woolas: The supporting people programme funding is only allocated to top tier authorities. The following table which indicates the level of funding for the supporting people programme in England and Northamptonshire, covers Wellingborough and East Northamptonshire, since 2002–03. This also includes funding for 2005–06.
	
		Supporting people grant
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 Total 
		
		
			 England  
			 SP Admin 40,226,752 48,021,253 48,064,043 40,000,000 176,312,048 
			 SP Programme — 1,816,704,562 1,807,011,255 1,714,906,962 5,338,622,779 
			 Yearly total 40,226,752 1,864,725,815 1,855,075,298 1,754,906,962 5,514,934,827 
			   
			 Northamptonshire  
			 SP Admin 416,114 509,544 494,227 425,178 1,845,063 
			 SP Programme — 15,057,832 15,421,106 14,578,905 45,057,843 
			 Yearly total 416,114 15,567,376 15,915,333 15,004,083 46,902,906

Wirral, South (Funding)

Ben Chapman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what funding streams are available to tackle areas of deprivation in Wirral South.

Phil Woolas: European Objective One funding is available for the whole of the Merseyside region. Within this there is an allocation of resources aimed at tackling issues of deprivation in specific areas due to their classification as among the most deprived parts of Merseyside. Three of these areas fall within Wirral South. Single Regeneration Funding is available to support Wirral South businesses. The Local Authority and its partners also target mainstream funding to support areas of deprivation in Wirral South.

Wirral, South (Funding)

Ben Chapman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what programmes the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund has funded in Wirral South.

Phil Woolas: The purpose of the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund is to provide support to local authorities in England's most deprived districts, to enable them, in collaboration with their Local Strategic Partnerships, to improve services in their most deprived areas. The neighbourhood renewal programme agreed by the Wirral Council Strategic Partnership provides support to the most deprived wards of the area, all of which are among the 3 per cent. most deprived wards in England. Wirral, South constituency therefore does not directly receive any Neighbourhood Renewal Fund support.

CABINET OFFICE

Departmental Estate

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what (a) land and (b) property his Department (i) owns and (ii) rents in each constituency; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: Information on the land and property which the Cabinet Office owns and rents is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Constituency/land and property Freehold/lease 
		
		
			 Cities of London and Westminster  
			 10–12 Downing Street London SW1 A 2AA Freehold 
			 70 Whitehall London SW1 A 2AS Freehold 
			 36 Whitehall London SW1 A 2AY Freehold 
			 Admiralty House London SW1 A 2DY Freehold 
			 22/26 Whitehall London SW1 A 2EG Freehold 
			 Admiralty Arch London 2WH Freehold 
			 Civil Service Club London SW1 A 2HJ Freehold 
			 53 Parliament Street London SW1 A 2NG Freehold 
			 1 Horse Guards Road London SW1 A 2HQ (2)Lease 
			 9 Whitehall London SW1 A 2DD Lease 
			 11 Belgrave Road London SW1V1RB (2)Lease 
			 2 Little Smith Street London SW1P3DH Lease 
			 35 Great Smith Street London SW1P3BQ Lease 
			 Stockley House London SW1V1LQ Lease 
			 7 St James Square London SW1Y4JH Lease 
			 67 Tufton Street London SW1P3QS Lease 
			 10 Great George Street London SW1P3AE Lease 
			   
			 Vale of York  
			 The Hawkhills Easingwold York YO61 3EG Freehold 
			   
			 North West Hampshire  
			 Hannington Aerial Mast Kingsclere Hampshire Freehold 
			   
			 Basingstoke  
			 Grosvenor House Basingview Basingstoke RG21 4HG (2)Lease 
			   
			 Norwich South  
			 St Clements House 2–16 Colgate Norwich NR31BQ Lease 
			   
			 Warrington North  
			 Birchwood Park Warrington WAS 6AE (2)Lease 
			   
			 Windsor  
			 Sunningdale Park Larch Avenue Ascot SL5 OQE (3)PPP/PFI 
		
	
	(2)The Cabinet Office occupies some space in these buildings which are the primary responsibility of other Government Departments.
	(3)The Sunningdale Park site is subject to a Public Private Partnership/Private Finance Initiative contract and the Cabinet Office purchases fully serviced office space there but there is no rental charge.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Direct Budgetary Support

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much EU aid money has been granted for direct budgetary support in each year since 1999, broken down by country recipient.

Hilary Benn: The European Commission has provided the following details of aid money committed since 1999 to budgetary support including general budget support, assistance directed at specific sectors, and budgetary assistance to mitigate the impact of export earnings shortfalls.
	
		EC general budget support plus sector budget support by recipient country -- € million
		
			  1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 ACP 276.93 552.61 386.96 565.55 845.14 551.90 
			 Benin — 18.80 — — 80.00 — 
			 Burkina Faso 39.20 23.50 — 125.00 — — 
			 Burundi — — — 22.60 — 43.60 
			 Cameroon — 19.51 — — — — 
			 Cape Verde — 15.00 12.10 — — 5.80 
			 CAR 6.50 22.00 — 4.40 — — 
			 Chad 9.20 27.10 10.00 — 50.00 — 
			 Cote d'lvoire — — 12.77 40.00 — — 
			 Djibouti — 10.00 — — — — 
			 DRC — — — 5.50 106.00 — 
			 Ethiopia — — 25.65 44.05 — 95.00 
			 Gabon — — 4.90 — — — 
			 Gambia — 9.20 4.26 — — — 
			 Guinea — — 11.04 — — — 
			 Guinea-Bissau — 17.20 — — — — 
			 Ghana 10.57 — 76.22 — 5.00 62.00 
			 Guyana 5.40 0.80 — — — 23.30 
			 Jamaica 9.00 — 21.70 30.00 — 25.00 
			 Kenya — 35.00 — — — 125.00 
			 Lesotho — — 18.50 — — — 
			 Madagascar — 6.80 — 70.00 — 35.00 
			 Malawi 52.09 — — — — — 
			 Mali 37.00 — 31.76 — 132.92 — 
			 Mauritania — — 18.29 — — — 
			 Mauritius — — — — 29.80 — 
			 Mozambique — 79.20 — 168.00 16.40 — 
			 Namibia — — — — 21.00 — 
			 New Caledonia — — — — — 21.50 
			 Niger — 37.94 3.16 20.00 90.00 — 
			 PNG — 10.40 — — — — 
			 Rwanda 24.57 60.82 — — 55.10 — 
			 Sierra Leone — 34.75 — — — — 
			 Sao Tome — 2.80 — — — — 
			 Senegal 39.10 — — — — 53.00 
			 South Africa — 47.08 58.90 35.00 27.92 61.00 
			 Tanzania — — 76.13 — 114.00 — 
			 Uganda 44.30 74.71 — — — — 
			 Vanuatu — — 1.60 — — 1.70 
			 Zambia — — — — 117.00 — 
			 Asia (4)— 0.00 0.00 70.00 0.00 20.00 
			 Bangladesh — — — — — — 
			 Cambodia — — — 20.00 — — 
			 Pakistan — — — 50.00 — — 
			 Vietnam — — — — — 20.00 
			 Latin America (4)— 0.00 0.00 0.00 28.16 90.00 
			 Bolivia — — — — — 22.50 
			 Honduras — — — — — 34.00 
			 Nicaragua — — — — 28.16 33.50 
			 MEDA (4)— 142.00 200.00 178.00 299.00 254.00 
			 Egypt — — — — 40.00 80.00 
			 Jordan — — — 60.00 35.00 30.00 
			 Morocco — 102.00 120.00 — 96.00 79.00 
			 Palestine — — — 98.00 80.00 65.00 
			 Tunisia — 40.00 80.00 20.00 48.00 — 
			 Food security (4)— 51.25 80.02 102.00 20.50 43.40 
			 Armenia — 10.00 10.00 20.30 — — 
			 Azerbaijan — — — 20.30 — — 
			 Bolivia — — — — — 10.00 
			 Eritrea — — 15.02 — — — 
			 Ethiopia — — — 25.00 — — 
			 Georgia — — 25.00 — — — 
			 Honduras — — 8.00 — — 8.00 
			 Kyrgyzstan — 10.00 10.00 20.00 — — 
			 Madagascar — — — — 3.00 5.40 
			 Moldova — 5.50 — 10.40 — 10.00 
			 Montenegro — 11.00 — — — — 
			 Mozambique — — — — 6.50 3.50 
			 Nicaragua — — — — 3.00 6.50 
			 Niger — 4.75 — 6.00 — — 
			 Peru — 10.00 — — — — 
			 Tajikistan — — — — 8.00 — 
			 Yemen — — 12.00 — — — 
			
			 Total GBS plus SBS (4)— 745.86 666.98 914.55 1,192.80 959.30 
		
	
	(4)Not available
	Source:
	Data provided by the European Commission.

Direct Budgetary Support

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much money the UKhas granted to multi-lateral institutions for direct budgetary support in each year since 1999.

Hilary Benn: The UK does not earmark its contributions to multilateral institutions for the purpose of direct budgetary support. However, our general contributions to the European Commission, the World Bank and regional development banks are used, among other things, to finance policy based lending where resources are transferred directly to the developing country's budget. This quick-disbursing assistance is used to support policy reforms and institutional changes, either at the macro-level or in a sector or sub-sector. It helps countries implement their poverty reduction strategies and promote economic growth.

HIV/AIDS

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government has taken during its G8 and EU presidencies to tackle HIV and AIDS in developing countries.

Gareth Thomas: As president of the G8 and the EU, the UK is showing leadership in the global fight against AIDS through a strong commitment to prevention and treatment.
	Gleneagles secured an important agreement
	to develop and implement a package for HIV prevention, treatment and care, with the aim of as close as possible to universal access to treatment for all those who need it by 2010"
	The universal access commitment was also agreed at the Millennium Summit in September. The UK convened a follow-up meeting, bringing together officials from the G8, developing countries, civil society, together with the Joint United Nations Programme for AIDS (UNAIDS), the World Health Organisation (WHO), the World Bank and UNICEF to start mapping out how to deliver against the commitment.
	The UNAIDS have now set up a Global Steering Committee (GSC), co-chaired by the UK and UNAIDS. The GSC will meet for the first time in Washington DC on 9–10 January 2006 and is expected to report to the High level UN General Assembly Special Session in mid 2006.
	The UK also hosted the third and final Replenishment Conference for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria on 5 and 6 September. The UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, chaired the Conference. My right hon. Friend, Hilary Benn was able to confirm the UK's earlier announcement of a doubling of our support for the Global Fund in 2006 and 2007 to £100 million in each of these two years. The UK's pledge amounted to 10 per cent. of the US$3.7 billion pledged to the Global Fund for the two-year period by international donors, far exceeding our 'fair share'. The amount pledged by 29 donors represents more than half of the Global Fund's total resource needs for the two-year period.
	The conference included a session on the global architecture within which the Global Fund operates. These discussions built on the 'Three Ones' principles and the UK co-hosted 'Making the Money Work' meeting, which had established a Global Task Team (GTT) to improve AIDS co-ordination among multilateral and international donors. As a result of the GTT, the UK expects fundamental improvements in how the UN and international donors such as the Global Fund work together to support countries develop and lead effective responses to AIDS. To support this work, the UK doubled our contributions to the UNAIDS for the next two years.
	EU Ministers, meeting in London on 30 November under the UK presidency, also confirmed their commitment to increased prevention by issuing a statement on a vision for an AIDS free generation, the first pan-European pledge of its kind. The statement backs efforts to give people around the world better access to condoms and effective information. It advocates a comprehensive and evidenced based approach to HIV prevention including sexual and reproductive health information and services, harm reduction programmes for injecting drug users and reliable access to sexual and reproductive health commodities.

Iraq

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many consultants his Department employs in Iraq; and how much each was paid in the last year for which figures are available.

Hilary Benn: DFID primarily employs consultants through contracts with consultancy companies. The following table therefore lists the number of consultants DFID currently employs in Iraq under each consultancy programme, and how much DFID has paid each for consultancy programme over the last 12 months, where this number exceeds £100,000. The amount paid includes not only consultants' fees, but also travel costs and expenses, and project management support from the UK and from locally-engaged staff.
	
		
			  Programme  Consultancy company and number of consultants Amount paid over the last 12 months (£) 
		
		
			 Political Participation Fund British Council—2 full-time international consultants 1,084,588 
			 Emergency Public Administration Adam Smith International Ltd.—5 full-time international consultants 4,171,325 
			 Economic Reform (phase one) Maxwell Stamp plc—6 full-time international consultants 3,208,096 
			 Support to the Centre of Government Adam Smith International Ltd.—4 full-time international consultants (5)— 
			 Economic Reform (phase two) Adam Smith International Ltd.—3 full-time international consultants (5)— 
			 Southern Iraq Employment and Services Programme Crown Agents—2 full-time international consultants 309,613 
			 Governorates Capacity Building Programme Enterplan Ltd.—6 full-time international consultants 2,134,163 
			 Technical Advisory Team Crown Agents—4 full-time international consultants 848,199 
			 Iraq Infrastructure and Services Programme Enterplan Ltd. ,PA Consulting Group, Crown Agents— 10 full-time international consultants 1,276,929 
		
	
	(5)Project started August 2005. No invoices yet cleared

Iraq

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which reconstruction projects have been (a) approved and (b) completed since the end of the Iraq war; and what the cost of each project was.

Hilary Benn: Since the end of the conflict, DFID has approved the following reconstruction programmes in Iraq:
	
		
			  Programme Approved commitment or actual spend if completed (£)  Ongoing/completed 
		
		
			 Governorate Teams South (6)3,623,271 Completed 
			 Media project in south 6,734,860 Ongoing 
			 Emergency Infrastructure Programme (6)19,650, 566 Completed 
			 Technical Advisory Team 7,400,000 Ongoing 
			 Southern Iraq Employment and Services Programme (6)17,634,811 Completed 
			 Governorates Capacity Building Programme 20,500,000 Ongoing 
			 Iraq Infrastructure and Services Programme 40,000,000 Ongoing 
			 Media Training Programme 1,156,096 Completed 
			 Emergency Public Administration Programme (6)4,427,288 Completed 
			 Training in the Justice Sector 2,286,422 Ongoing 
			 Political Participation Fund 6,250,000 Ongoing 
			 Civil Society Fund 5,000,000 Ongoing 
			 Support for Macroeconomic Reform (6)3,622,051 Completed 
			 Support to Iraqi Electoral Commission for Iraq (6)170, 394 Completed 
			 Support to Iraqi Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation 1,116,000 Ongoing 
			 Support to Centre of Government 13,260,000 Ongoing 
			 Supporting Economic Reform Phase Two 13,000,000 Ongoing 
		
	
	(6)Spent
	More information on DFID programmes in Iraq can be found at:
	www.dfid.gov.uk/countries/asia/iraq.asp
	In addition, the Global Conflict Prevention Pool (GCPP), funded jointly by DFID, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and the Ministry of Defence, has approved £43.6 million for reconstruction projects since the end of the conflict. I shall arrange for the document entitled 'Iraq Global Conflict Prevention Pool Projects, 2003–05' to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Montserrat

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the development of the private sector on the island of Montserrat; and if he will list private foreign investments initiated in the last three years.

Gareth Thomas: We share the view of the Government of Montserrat (GoM) that development of the private sector is vital to Montserrat's economic recovery. A Private Sector Development Strategy has been agreed by the GoM; and design of a new Private Sector Development Project is nearly complete. This three year DFID-funded project will create an appropriate environment for development of the sector through the provision of business support services, including access to finance and the promotion of inward investment. It will complement ongoing DFID support for tourism development.
	The GoM also intends to set up a Montserrat Development Corporation, for which initial funding will be provided by DFID. The key roles of the corporation will be the promotion and co-ordination of private sector development activities and delivery of a project to establish a new capital town at Little Bay. We expect the corporation to be operational next year.
	There has already been interest in investing, and in some cases re-investing, in Montserrat. Proposals under consideration include a water bottling factory, an ash slates factory, a geothermal energy project and establishment of a medical college.

Montserrat

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to encourage holiday companies to introduce package holidays to Montserrat.

Gareth Thomas: A National Tourism Strategy and Plan was approved by the Government of Montserrat in May 2003. DFID is providing £1.6 million for three year Tourism Development Project, based on the strategy. This will develop and market Montserrat tourism products, and re-introduce Montserrat to the regional and international tourism markets. Although Montserrat is not suited to mass tourism, a combination of the resumption of fixed wing air services last July and marketing activities supported by the tourism project could help to encourage specialist holiday companies to offer package holidays to the island.

Montserrat

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to encourage the tourist industry of scuba diving on the island of Montserrat.

Gareth Thomas: The development of tourism is seen by the Government of Montserrat and DFID as a key element in Montserrat's economic recovery. DFID is providing £1.6 million for a Tourism Development Project to re-develop and market Montserrat's tourism products. Among other things, the project will assist the private sector in establishing a market for diving through effective marketing and promotions. In addition, it will enhance the image of Montserrat as a destination for diving, while conserving the reef and marine environment through the establishment of diving sites and moorings.

Mosquito Nets (Africa)

David Borrow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid his Department is providing to assist in the purchase of mosquito nets in Africa; and if he will list the aid provided to each country for this purpose.

Hilary Benn: DFID provides considerable amounts of aid to Africa as non-earmarked Poverty Reduction Budgetary Support (PRBS) or sector support. Consequently, it is not possible to provide a precise figure for the amount of aid DFID has provided towards specific programme components such as mosquito nets.
	In addition, DFID supports a number of specific programmes which distribute insecticide treated mosquito nets as part of countries' comprehensive malaria control plans. In Tanzania, for example, DFID provided £8.4 million between 2003 and 2004 and has committed a further £10.3 million up until 2007 for delivery of insecticide treated nets.
	DFID also channels funds through multilateral bodies such as the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM) and UNICEF. In July 2005, DFID announced a doubling of its contribution to GFATM to £200 million for 2006–07, bringing our total pledge to the GFATM to £359 million through to 2008. DFID's contribution to the Global Fund is not earmarked, but so far around one third of GFATM funds have been spent on malaria interventions including mosquito nets.

Uganda

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in northern Uganda; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The humanitarian situation in northern Uganda is extremely serious. 1.4 million people are living in camps for internally displaced people as a result of the conflict involving the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). Those displaced are dependent on food aid and other humanitarian assistance. Mortality rates in the camps are high. 63 per cent. of the population in the North live below the poverty line, compared to 38 per cent. in Uganda as a whole. Although the conflict is characterised by low levels of engagement, there is a constant threat of child abduction and people live in fear of their lives.
	In our discussions with the Government of Uganda, the UK emphasises the importance of adequate protection for civilians in the North and meeting humanitarian needs. We are providing substantial assistance to help address the humanitarian situation. In 2004–05 we made available £11 million to improve access to food and essential social services. So far in 2005–06, we have already committed £3 million to the World Food Programme (WFP) and are currently conducting a further assessment of need with the intention of providing additional resources to WFP and other humanitarian agencies in the next few months. As a result of recent LRA attacks, many humanitarian agencies have been forced to curtail their movement outside major towns. The WFP, however, continues to deliver essential emergency food aid as normal under heavy military escort.

United States Hurricane

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the cost was of the ration packs delivered as hurricane disaster relief and impounded by US authorities; what the cost was of their delivery; what steps are being taken to retrieve them; from which Government reserves they came; what discussions he has had with logistical staff from the Ministry of Defence on the impact of the despatch on army supplies; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The ration packs were supplied by the Ministry of Defence and DFID had no direct involvement in the arrangements. The provision of these supplies does not impact on future humanitarian responses and therefore there has not been a need for DFID to discuss their impact on army supplies with the Ministry of Defence.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Adoption

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many children were placed for adoption in Northern Ireland in each year since 1990, broken down by age.

Shaun Woodward: Information on how many children were placed for adoption in Northern Ireland is not available centrally.

Adult Illiteracy

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what criteria are used to assess illiteracy in adults in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: In the absence of my hon. Friend, the Member for Basildon (Angela E. Smith), I have been asked to reply.
	Research to date has focused on measuring levels of literacy and at present no data is available which specifically identifies the levels of illiteracy.
	The International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS,) which was carried out in 1996, indicated that 24 per cent. of the adult population in Northern Ireland performed at the lowest levels of literacy, level 1. It defines literacy as,
	'using printed and written information to function in society, to achieve one's goals and to develop one's knowledge and potential'.
	Since the launch of the Essential Skills for Living Strategy in October 2002, the Department has met, and exceeded, its interim target to support 25,000 adults to improve their levels of literacy and numeracy.

All-Ireland Free Travel Scheme

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when discussions will be concluded between the Department of Regional Development in Northern Ireland and the Department of Social and Family Affairs in the Republic of Ireland on the technical details of the all-Ireland free travel scheme; when the implementation and introduction of the scheme will be announced; and when the new scheme will start.

Shaun Woodward: DRD officials are still considering with their Republic of Ireland counterparts the operational and resource issues related to extension of all-Ireland free travel for pensioners. I am not yet able to say when it will be completed or when a scheme could be implemented.

Bankruptcies

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State forNorthern Ireland how many bankruptcies there have been in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years.

David Hanson: In the absence of my hon. Friend, the Member for Basildon (Angela E. Smith), I have been asked to reply.
	The following table shows the number of bankruptcies in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 financial years.
	
		
			 Year ending 31March Number of bankruptcies 
		
		
			 1996 408 
			 1997 371 
			 1998 417 
			 1999 405 
			 2000 395 
			 2001 331 
			 2002 280 
			 2003 350 
			 2004(7) 582 
			 2005(7) 685 
			 Total 4,224 
		
	
	(7)The increase in the figures for years ending 31 March 2004 and 31 March 2005 are due mainly to an increase in the numbers of consumer (non-trader) bankruptcies which has been brought about by a rise in credit card debt and increased personal lending.

Blue Badge Thefts

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many incidents of the theft of disabled persons' blue badges have been reported in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: The chief executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
	Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin to Mr. Peter Robinson, dated 1 December 2005
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question about how many incidents of theft of disabled persons' blue badges have been reported in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.
	I have been asked to reply as the issue raised falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
	I must advise that Roads Service holds records in respect of blue badge applications for a 3 year period. As Roads Service receives approximately 2000 applications per month, the specific information you requested is not readily available and could only be compiled for the last 3 years at disproportionate costs.
	However, to try to be of some assistance we have compiled information for the period January to October 2005, and can advise that during this period Roads Service received 88 applications for replacement blue badges where badge holders have stated theft was involved. This represents around 3% of the applications over the same period. Of these 29 were purely the theft of a blue badge and in 59 cases the blue badge was lost/stolen as part of an associated theft e.g. stolen handbag or stolen car.
	I hope this information is helpful.

Bullying

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many instances of school bullying in (a) primary and (b) post-primary schools have been recorded in the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: In the absence of my hon. Friend, the Member for Basildon (Angela E. Smith), I have been asked to reply.
	The Department of Education does not collect the information requested.
	Information about the scale and nature of bullying in Northern Ireland schools is contained in a research report published in October 2002. A research briefing summary is available on the Department's website at www.deni.gov.uk/rb8_2002.pdf.
	The Department has recently commissioned updated research into bullying, in all its forms, and the results will also be published in due course.

Consumer Debt

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average level of consumer debt in Northern Ireland was in the last period for which figures are available; what assessment he has made of the differential with other parts of the UK; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: In the absence of my hon. Friend, the Member for Basildon (Angela E. Smith), I have been asked to reply.
	Research commissioned by the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland in February 2004 estimated that overall consumer debt, including mortgages, averaged £15,300 per respondent. Excluding mortgages, the average debt was £2,300 per respondent. This was based on a representative sample of 1,020 Northern Ireland consumers.
	At present, there are no directly comparable figures for the rest of the UK. Further research is under way and, when completed, will allow more detailed comparisons of consumer debt within the UK to be made.

Doctors and Nurses

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) doctors and (b) nurses there were per head of population in (i) Northern Ireland and (ii) each Health Board in each year since 1995.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested is provided in the following tables.
	
		Doctors employed within the NI HPSS per 1,000 head of population in Northern Ireland and by Health Board area by year as at 30 September
		
			  Northern Ireland Northern Board Eastern Board Southern Board Western Board 
		
		
			 1995 1.41 0.77 2.07 1.16 1.08 
			 1996 1.47 0.94 2.09 1.12 1.13 
			 1997 1.52 0.93 2.13 1.28 1.21 
			 1998 1.65 1.00 2.36 1.26 1.33 
			 1999 1.53 0.88 2.25 1.13 1.24 
			 2000 1.59 0.89 2.35 1.21 1.28 
			 2001 1.63 0.89 2.46 1.17 1.29 
			 2002 1.71 0.91 2.63 1.20 1.35 
			 2003 1.81 0.98 2.78 1.24 1.46 
			 2004 1.89 1.01 2.90 1.31 1.52 
			 2005 1.97 1.13 3.00 1.33 1.57 
		
	
	Notes:
	The Mid-year HSSB Civilian Population Estimate for 2005 was not available, therefore the Mid-year HSSB Civilian Population Estimate for 2004 was used for 2005.
	1.Doctors include all medical staff employed within the NIHPSS at the following grades: consultants, associate specialists, staff grade, specialist registrars, PRHOs, SHOs, hospital practitioners, general medical practitioners and medical officers.
	2.These figures exclude primary care general practitioners.
	Sources:
	Doctor headcount figures: Human Resource Management System.
	Civilian population figures: Northern Ireland Statistics Research Agency.
	
		Qualified nurses employed within the NI HPSS per 1,000 head of population in Northern Ireland and by Health Board area by year as at 30 September
		
			  Northern Ireland Northern Board Eastern Board Southern Board Western Board 
		
		
			 1995 8.35 5.80 10.48 7.88 7.52 
			 1996 8.18 5.61 10.44 7.51 7.32 
			 1997 7.83 5.54 9.92 7.02 7.11 
			 1998 7.82 5.63 9.96 6.77 7.14 
			 1999 7.86 5.59 10.04 6.78 7.29 
			 2000 8.00 5.77 10.26 6.81 7.31 
			 2001 7.99 5.84 10.28 6.77 7.20 
			 2002 8.38 5.91 11.01 6.80 7.70 
			 2003 8.80 6.18 11.60 7.17 8.10 
			 2004 9.05 6.38 11.87 7.35 8.50 
			 2005 9.23 6.45 12.10 7.52 8.75 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.The Mid-year HSSB Civilian Population Estimate for 2005 was not available, therefore the Mid-year HSSB Civilian Population Estimate for 2004 was used or 2005.
	2.Qualified nurses include midwives and health visiting staff.
	3.These figures exclude bank staff who fill staffing shortfalls to maintain service delivery.
	4.Nursing figures are not available for staff working in general practice surgeries and are therefore not included.
	Sources:
	Nursing headcount figures: Human Resource Management System.
	Civilian population figures: Northern Ireland Statistics Research Agency.

Emergency Contraception

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prescriptions of hormonal emergency contraception were prescribed in each of the last 10 years in each region of Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: Information on the number of prescriptions for hormonal emergency contraception from GP practices, broken down by Health Board is outlined in the following table.
	
		Number of hormonal emergency contraception prescriptions
		
			  EHSSB NHSSB SHSSB WHSSB NI total 
		
		
			 1995 4,766 3,669 2,819 2,475 13,729 
			 1996 5,719 4,561 3,596 3,559 17,435 
			 1997 5,906 4,763 3,961 3,960 18,590 
			 1998 6,245 5,219 4,475 4,571 20,510 
			 1999 6,229 5,335 4,639 4,642 20,845 
			 2000 6,381 5,261 4,707 4,872 21,221 
			 2001 5,697 4,936 4,652 4,729 20,014 
			 2002 5,102 4,620 4,243 4,079 18,044 
			 2003 4,827 4,357 4,096 3,877 17,157 
			 2004 4,413 4,005 3,797 3,617 15,832 
		
	
	Note:
	Prescriptions of hormonal emergency contraception are also available in accident and emergency units and specialist clinics. The data in the table only reflect prescriptions of hormonal emergency contraception from GP practices.
	Source:
	Central Services Agency

Family Planning Clinics

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many family planning clinics there were in Northern Ireland in each year since 1990; and how many women were seen by them in each year, broken down by health board.

Shaun Woodward: Information on the number of family planning clinics is not available centrally. Information on the number of women attending family planning clinics is shown in the following table, according to Health and Social Services Board, for the years for which the information is available centrally.
	
		
			  Eastern HSS Board Northern HSS Board Southern HSS Board Western HSS Board Northern Ireland 
		
		
			 2003–04 20,981 1,845 4,667 5,061 32,554 
			 2002–03 23,319 1,750 4,206 4,866 34,141 
			 2001–02 20,403 2,044 4,730 5,080 32,257 
			 2000–01 22,714 2,283 4,676 4,679 34,352 
			 1999–2000 23,769 3,156 6,112 5,086 38,123 
			 1998–99 24,944 4,825 5,623 5,651 41,043 
			 1997–98 25,217 5,072 5,930 5,255 41,474 
			 1996–97 24,451 5,375 6,373 5,342 41,541 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Information is in respect of the financial year ending 31 March each year.
	2.Figures relate to first attendances by women at family planning clinics during the relevant year.

Freelance Musicians

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to ensure that the policy of the Inland Revenue on liability for national insurance contributions does not lead to the loss of full-time jobs in the Ulster Orchestra.

David Hanson: In the absence of my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Basildon (Angela E. Smith), I have been asked to reply.
	The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and theArts Council of Northern Ireland are monitoring discussions currently taking place between the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, the Arts Council of England, the Association of British Orchestras and the Musicians Union about the national insurance liability on musicians' earnings. These discussions are ongoing and at an early stage.

Fugitives from Justice

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State forNorthern Ireland how many fugitives from justice meet the criteria for release under the Government's plans.

Peter Hain: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Lagan Valley (Mr. Donaldson) on 21 November 2005, Official Report, column 1643W.

Hip Replacements

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many hip replacement operations were performed in each of the last five years, broken down by health board.

Shaun Woodward: Information on the number of hip replacement operations carried out in acute hospitals in Northern Ireland in each year from 2000–01 to 2004–05 (the latest year for which data is available) broken down by health board is shown in the following table.
	
		Number of hip replacement operations in each HPSS board of residence
		
			  EHSSB NHSSB SHSSB WHSSB Others(8) All 
		
		
			 2004–05 900 585 461 390 49 2,385 
			 2003–04 844 530 405 330 57 2,166 
			 2002–03 778 554 390 339 31 2,092 
			 2001–02 761 489 406 288 32 1,976 
			 2000–01 820 526 402 291 12 2,051 
		
	
	(8) 'Others' include patients whose place of residence is outside Northern Ireland or for whom a board of residence cannot be assigned.
	Source:
	Hospital Inpatient System

Hospitality Budgets

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total hospitality budget is for his Department's Ministers for 2005–06, including alcohol, food, staff in attendance and other related costs.

Shaun Woodward: The total hospitality budget for the Northern Ireland Ministers, for 2005–06, is £17,000. This figure includes alcohol, food and other related costs. The Minister's staff in attendance budget is not included as it forms part of the total staffing budget and we cannot identify the service specifically for Ministers.
	The NIO provides for ministerial hospitality where the function is in the direct interests of the Northern Ireland Office. The level of hospitality must be defined, and a broad outline of cost and numbers attending must be provided on all occasions before authorisation. Expenditure should be kept as low as possible, compatible with the occasion and the standing of the guests.

Inward Investment

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his assessment is of the effect on foreign direct investment of corporation tax differentials between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

David Hanson: In the absence of my hon. Friend, the Member for Basildon (Angela E. Smith), I have been asked to reply.
	Care should be exercised in contrasting corporation tax rates with those, for example, in the Republic of Ireland. Comparing the headline rate fails to take account of differences in tax allowances. For example, the C.D. Howe Institute estimate the effective corporate tax rate to be 21.7 per cent. in the United Kingdom, compared to 13.7 per cent. for the Republic of Ireland.
	However, in relation to the attraction of foreign direct investment, corporation tax is only one element in the decision-making process. Invest Northern Ireland tailors its marketing efforts towards foreign direct investment projects where Northern Ireland is likely to have the most competitive solution.
	If corporation tax is the main deciding factor or driving force behind a project, it becomes considerably more difficult for Northern Ireland to secure such projects.

Mental Health Bill

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with his Cabinet colleagues on the extension of the draft Mental Health Bill to Northern Ireland; and if he will list the parts of that Bill which he expects to extend to Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: Officials have been liaising with their colleagues in England on the draft Mental Health Bill on those parts that extend to Northern Ireland. These are section 214, the Transfer and Return of Patients", sections 363 to 366, Notification of Speaker in relation to Member of Parliament" and schedule 12, Member of Parliament Liable to Compulsory Provision: Interpretation".
	At present, the mental health legislation extant in Northern Ireland is the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986. New legislation will be introduced following the current Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability.

Ministerial Travel

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent in each year from 1 May 1997 on ministerial travel, broken down by (a) provision and running costs of vehicular transport, (b) first class travel by rail, (c) standard class travel by rail, (d) first class travel by air, (e) club or equivalent class travel by air and (f) economy class travel by air.

Shaun Woodward: All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the ministerial code and travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.
	In respect of ministerial cars provided by the Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA); my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office (Mr. Jim Murphy) has asked Roy Burke, chief executive of the GCDA, to write to the hon. Member with details of the costs of ministerial vehicles provided to Departments in 2004–05. Copies of his letter will be placed in the Library.
	For information for the financial years 2000–01 to 2003–04 I refer the hon. Member to the letters from the chief executive of the GCDA to the hon. Member for Buckingham (John Bercow) dated 10 January 2005 and to the then hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs (Howard Flight) dated 13 September 2003. Copies of these letters are available in the Library.
	In respect to domestic ministerial travel, we are unable to provide the information in the format requested by the hon. Member. We cannot identify travel by class for both rail and air nor can we separately identify costs solely for the Ministers. The following table provides the total ministerial team (Ministers and their support staff) rail and air expenditure for the years for which the information is available.
	
		£
		
			  Travel by rail Travel by air 
		
		
			 1997–98 n/a 854,755 
			 1998–99 n/a 947,626 
			 1999–2000 n/a 467,815 
			 2000–01 n/a 801,750 
			 2001–02 3,751 665,047 
			 2002–03 826 622,171 
			 2003–04 4,242 587,043 
			 2004–05 5,880 529,808 
			 2005–06(9) 1,183 296,231 
		
	
	(9)Up to October
	In respect of overseas travel by Ministers, since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House. These report information for the financial years 1995–06 to 2004–05. Information for 2005–06 will be published as soon as it is ready after the end of the current financial year.

Murders

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been murdered in each year since 1997 in (a) East Belfast, (b) North Belfast, (c) South Belfast and (d) West Belfast.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested is provided in the following tables. The statistics for 1997 and 1998 are provided by sub-divisional command rather than district command unit as they are only available in this format.
	
		1997–98
		
			 Police sub-division Number 
		
		
			 Musgrave Street 3 
			 Mountpottinger 1 
			 Donegall Pass 2 
			 Grosvenor Road 1 
			 Woodbourne 1 
			 North Queen Street 2 
			 Antrim Road 1 
			 Tennent Street 2 
			 Strandtown 0 
		
	
	
		
			 Financial year East Belfast North Belfast South Belfast West Belfast 
		
		
			 1998–99 2 17 10 8 
			 1999–2000 4 7 9 9 
			 2000–01 1 10 3 6 
			 2001–02 3 7 4 1 
			 2002–03 3 7 6 0 
			 2003–04 0 0 2 2 
			 2004–05 1 4 2 1

NHS (Elderly Staff)

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many employees aged over 70 years are working in the national health service in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: There were 12 (7.29 WTE) members of staff employed within the NI HPSS who were aged over 70 as at 30 September 2005.

Northern Ireland Assembly (Land Use Powers)

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what powers the Northern Ireland Assembly would have to (a) amend and (b) to delete (i)green belt designations, (ii) areas of outstanding natural beauty designations and (iii) sites of special scientific interest after area plans have been adopted.

Angela Smith: The Northern Ireland Executive would be responsible for the implementation of Northern Ireland legislation governing planning matters and conservation designations.
	Green belts, but not areas of outstanding natural beauty or areas of special scientific interest, are established through the area plan process. In the case of green belt designations any amendment or deletion must be carried out through the statutory process to alter an area plan, as set out in the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991.
	The Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 (as amended), under which areas of outstanding natural beauty are designated, also allows the Department to amend or delete these areas. Similarly, there are provisions in the Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002, under which areas of special scientific interest are declared, which empower the Department to amend or delete such areas where their scientific interest has been lost.

Nursing

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many nursing vacancies there are in each health board area; and how many nurses are employed in each of the hospitals in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested is provided in the following tables.
	
		Number of current qualified nursing staff vacancies in the NI HPSS by health board area as at 31 March 2005
		
			  Health board area  Headcount Whole-time equivalent 
		
		
			 Northern board 58 54.20 
			 Eastern board 473 436.08 
			 Southern board 46 40.26 
			 Western board 65 63.32 
			 Total 642 593.86 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Qualified nursing staff include health visitors, district nurses and midwives.
	2.Information on qualified nursing staff vacancies includes community-based staff as well as hospital-based staff.
	3.A current vacancy is an unoccupied post, which as 31 March 2005 was vacant and which the organisation was actively trying to fill.
	Source:
	NI Health Trusts and Organisations
	
		Number of long-term qualified nursing staff vacancies in the NI HPSS by health board area as at 31 March 2005
		
			  Health board area  Headcount Whole-time equivalent 
		
		
			 Northern board 14 13.30 
			 Eastern board 222 215.10 
			 Southern board 9 8.84 
			 Western board 38 37.32 
			 Total 283 274.56 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Qualified nursing staff include health visitors, district nurses and midwives.
	2.Information on qualified nursing staff vacancies includes community-based staff as well as hospital-based staff.
	3.A long-term vacancy is an unoccupied post which at 31 March 2005 had been vacant for three months or more (was vacant prior to 31 December 2004) and which the organisation was actively trying to fill. long-term vacancies are a sub-set of current vacancies.
	Source:
	NI Health Trusts and Organisations
	
		Qualified nursing staff employed within the NI HPSS by hospital as at 31 March 2005
		
			 Hospital Headcount Whole-time equivalent 
		
		
			 Altnagelvin Area Hospital 909 809.72 
			 Antrim Area Hospital 674 560.59 
			 Ards Hospital 133 96.19 
			 Armagh Community Hospital 7 5.87 
			 Banbridge Hospital 3 3.00 
			 Bangor Hospital 36 27.93 
			 Belfast City Hospital 1306 1097.11 
			 Braid Valley Hospital 73 65.00 
			 Causeway Hospital 395 333.42 
			 Craigavon Area Hospital 857 697.46 
			 Daisy Hill Hospital 291 243.92 
			 Dalriada Hospital 27 22.19 
			 Downe Hospital 155 127.99 
			 Downshire Hospital 144 137.79 
			 Erne Hospital 403 343.77 
			 Forster Green Hospital/Musgrave Park  Hospital 527 435.82 
			 Gransha Hospital 153 125.17 
			 Holywell/Whiteabbey Hospital (Psychiatric  Services) 330 231.27 
			 Knockbracken Healthcare Park 145 133.28 
			 Lakeview (Previously Stradreagh Hospital) 46 33.24 
			 Lagan Valley Hospital 301 246.44 
			 Longstone Hospital 92 84.90 
			 Lurgan Hospital 83 65.65 
			 Mater Hospital 417 365.57 
			 Mid-Ulster Hospital 204 171.09 
			 Moyle Hospital 35 27.01 
			 Muckamore Hospital 189 173.95 
			 Mullinure Hospital 38 31.40 
			 Regional Secure Unit (SEBHSST) 21 20.21 
			 Robinson Hospital 23 16.59 
			 Royal Hospital 2276 1910.79 
			 Shaftesbury Square Hospital 22 18.60 
			 South Tyrone Hospital 63 48.19 
			 St. Lukes Hospital 172 149.44 
			 Thompson House Hospital 44 39.64 
			 Tyrone County Hospital 358 332.79 
			 Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital 263 256.15 
			 Ulster Hospital 987 841.38 
			 Waterside Hospital 54 37.21 
			 Whiteabbey Hospital 204 161.78 
			 Total 12460 10529.51 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Qualified nursing staff include health visitors, district nurses and midwives.
	2.Figures for Antrim area hospital, Whiteabbey hospital, Mid-Ulster hospital, Braid Valley hospital and Moyle hospital are as at November 2005.
	Source:
	NI HSS Trusts

Parole

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what methods are used in Northern Ireland for tracking prisoners on parole; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: The term parole" in Northern Ireland is taken to refer to home and resettlement leave.
	The Northern Ireland Prison Service is not directly involved with tracking prisoners on parole. However, the PSNI are provided with details of successful applicants for home leave including their addresses and any conditions attached to granting of leave, such as alcohol and/or curfew restrictions. In addition, prisoners may be required to undergo drugs and alcohol testing before leaving and on return to prison. They may also be required to report during release to the Probation Service, who are fully informed regarding home leave conditions. Prisoners may also be required to attend a checkpoint" meeting with staff during home leave and keep a diary.
	Certain prisoners, including life sentence prisoners, may be accompanied on periods of home leave particularly during the early stages. Where they are permitted overnight stays, there will be hostel supervision.
	Young offenders are required to meet their Probation Officer during home leave. A member of Opportunity Youth may also call unannounced at the home address to check that conditions of temporary release, such as no alcohol, are being adhered to. Young Offenders not subject to custody probation orders are required to report to a local police station during home leave.

Parole

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what criteria are applied in Northern Ireland when considering whether a prisoner is eligible for parole; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: The term parole" in Northern Ireland refers to home and resettlement leave.
	On 1 March 2004 the Prison Service introduced a new home leave scheme which provides quotas of home and resettlement leave for determinate sentence and life sentence prisoners.
	Determinate sentence prisoners sentenced on or after that date may now avail of leave only during the last 12 months of sentence. The number of days' leave granted depends on the length of sentence and continuous custody. All applications by determinate sentence prisoners are considered by the Home Leave Board of the prison establishment concerned and are subject to a satisfactory risk assessment. Each prisoner must provide the board with reasons why home leave is requested and indicate how he will use home leave constructively. Victim issues are also taken into consideration.
	The same considerations apply to life sentence prisoners.

Police

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are employed by each district command unit to collate and produce Police Service of Northern Ireland statistical information.

Shaun Woodward: The Police Service of Northern Ireland does not employ staff in any DCU with the specific remit of statistical collation.
	Statistics relating to the main crime types (as outlined by the Home Office counting rules) are automatically generated by computerised crime recording. It is the responsibility of PSNI's central statistics unit to collate and present statistics relating to these matters of crime, security, drugs and certain roads policing offences.
	PSNI Headquarters Departments also gather information from DCU's and Branches relating to matters of strategic importance, for example issues contained in the policing plan.

Police

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) female and (b) male Police Service of Northern Ireland officers were recruited in each year for which figures are available, broken down by (i) Protestants, (ii) Catholics and (iii)others.

Shaun Woodward: I am advised that the breakdown of officers recruited by PSNI are as follows.
	
		
			  Male Female 
			  Protestant community background Catholic community background Not determined Sub total Protestant community background Catholic community background Not determined Sub total Grand total 
		
		
			 2001(10) 39 31 1 71 12 23 0 35 106 
			 2002 144 177 2 323 85 66 1 152 475 
			 2003 137 146 1 284 84 77 3 164 448 
			 2004 176 191 4 371 127 99 1 227 598 
			 2005(11) 104 123 3 230 88 80 1 169 399 
		
	
	(10)From 4 November 2001 to 31 December 2001.
	(11)Up to 28 November 2005.

Police

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what guidance his Department has given the Police Service of Northern Ireland on the (a) purchase and (b) hire of police road vehicles.

Shaun Woodward: Under the terms of the Management Statement issued by the Department to the Chief Constable in respect of the grant made available for police purposes, the Chief Constable is responsible for ensuring that efficient financial systems and procedures are in place. The Department has not given PSNI any specific guidance on (a) the purchase, (b) the hire of police road vehicles, however PSNI have a service level agreement (SLA) with the NIO Procurement Unit under which advice and guidance can be provided on procurement issues as required.

Police

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many police vehicles in each district command unit were (a) purchased and (b) hired in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Shaun Woodward: The purchase and hire of vehicles is conducted by Transport Services Branch, not at DCU level. The total figures for vehicle purchase and hire are set out as follows:
	
		
			  Vehicles purchased Hire of vehicles 
		
		
			 2001–02 445 4 
			 2002–03 346 27 
			 2003–04 461 4 
			 2004–05 625 9 
			 2005–06(12) 167 2 
		
	
	(12)End September 2005

Prescriptions

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) paid for and (b) free prescriptions were issued in each health board area in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years.

Shaun Woodward: As prescription forms may include several different items, which may each attract a separate charge, the questioner's term prescriptions" is therefore interpreted as prescription items.
	(a) The number of prescription items for which the full prescription charge was paid at the point of dispensing by board, from 1997 to 2004 is given in the table.
	Based upon sample analyses, it is estimated that at the NI level a further 5 per cent. of prescription items are covered by pre-payment certificates (PPCs), which allow the patient to obtain as many prescription items as necessary during the four or 12 month validity of the certificate for a set fee.
	
		Total items paid(13) for at point of dispensing by health and social services board—1997 to 2004
		
			  Northern Ireland Eastern Northern Southern Western 
		
		
			 1997 1,182,094 528,275 350,796 194,061 108,962 
			 1998 1,200,997 533,224 356,744 200,891 110,138 
			 1999 1,341,795 574,913 392,984 238,229 135,669 
			 2000 1,409,347 599,206 410,335 257,328 142,478 
			 2001 1,472,666 624,874 429,878 269,369 148,545 
			 2002 1,545,006 647,390 443,897 286,729 166,990 
			 2003 1,553,759 650,009 450,732 278,222 174,796 
			 2004 1,591,521 666,810 457,021 281,375 186,315 
		
	
	(13)Figures exclude items covered by pre-payment certificate—estimated to be 5 per cent. at the Northern Ireland level.
	(b) It is estimated that at the NI level about 89 per cent. of health service prescription items are dispensed free of charge to patients. As this is an estimate these figures could not be presented by board in the following table. Therefore, the table only shows items which the patient did not pay the prescription charge (£6.40 in 2004–05) directly to the pharmacist. A further estimated 5 per cent. of all items are covered by pre-payment certificates previously purchased by the patient.
	
		Total prescription items not paid(14) for at point of dispensing by health and social services board—1997 to 2004
		
			  Northern Ireland Eastern Northern Southern Western 
		
		
			 1997 20,688,292 8,491,313 4,483,332 4,029,939 3,683,708 
			 1998 21,314,929 8,829,638 4,592,844 4,116,488 3,775,959 
			 1999 21,906,106 9,102,138 4,751,223 4,193,880 3,858,865 
			 2000 22,254,285 9,313,514 4,818,510 4,215,256 3,907,005 
			 2001 23,078,459 9,529,152 5,083,861 4,417,831 4,047,615 
			 2002 23,874,951 9,892,410 5,293,327 4,554,270 4,134,944 
			 2003 24,845,257 10,229,453 5,586,449 4,681,621 4,347,734 
			 2004 25,726,828 10,593,205 5,811,504 4,837,362 4,484,757 
		
	
	(14)Figures include prescription items covered by pre-payment certificate, which cannot be separately identified.

Prisons

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost has been in each prison in Northern Ireland in the last five years of providing (a) educational facilities, (b) dental services, (c) medical services, including costs involved in transporting inmates to and from hospital, (d) clothing and (e) food; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: The aggregate resource costs for the whole of the last five financial years, from 2000–01 to 2004–05 are:
	
		£000
		
			  Education facilities Dental services Medical services Clothing Food 
		
		
			 Maghaberry 9,013 479 13,189 104 2,442 
			 Magilligan 6,846 364 4,208 87 1,356 
			 Hydebank Wood 5,070 203 3,077 102 662

Magilligan Prison

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Government has commissioned an economic assessment of the impact on the North West of Northern Ireland of (a) closing Magilligan Prison and (b) the potential alternatives for the site.

Shaun Woodward: Yes, the Prison Service commissioned an assessment of the socio-economic impact of the location of the second adult prison. The report will very shortly be finalised.
	The economic assessment considered the location of the new prison in its current location and at three other geographical areas with Northern Ireland. These included:
	1. The Ballymena area (including Antrim);
	2. Lisburn
	3. Portadown/Craigavon/Dunngannon.

Public Bodies

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many public bodies in Northern Ireland have paid travel and subsistence expenses in the past five years for non-executive directors and board members who live outside the UK and Ireland.

David Hanson: In the absence of my hon. Friend, the Member for Basildon (Angela E. Smith), I have been asked to reply.
	One public body in Northern Ireland has paid travel and subsistence expenses in the past five years for a non-executive director or board member living outside the UK and Ireland.

Sentencing

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the conclusions of the Review of Minimum Terms and Life Sentence Cases.

David Hanson: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answerI gave on 16 November 2005, Official Report, column 1331W.

Smoking

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State forNorthern Ireland what assessment has been made by his Department of the medical effects of smoking by pregnant women on the health of an unborn child.

Shaun Woodward: Smoking is a critical women's health issue for both mother and child. Smoking in pregnancy is associated with many problems both for the foetus and newly born baby, including miscarriage, placenta damage, pre-term delivery, low birthweight, perinatal death and sudden infant death syndrome.
	The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety published a five year tobacco action plan in 2003. The plan identified pregnant women as a key target group.

Stun Guns

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people he has authorised to have stun guns.

Shaun Woodward: One person has been authorised by the Secretary of State to possess Taser guns for demonstration to the Police Service Northern Ireland.

Translink

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether Translink takes into account pupils not using bus services as a result of their participation in extra-curricular activities when determining the number of bus journeys undertaken by children qualifying for the free school transport system in an academic year for the purposes of calculating the amount to be charged to the education and library boards in Northern Ireland for the service.

David Hanson: In the absence of my hon. Friend, the Member for Basildon (Angela E. Smith), I have been asked to reply.
	Translink does not take account of pupils attending extra-curricular activities when calculating the cost of a sessional ticket, as it is assumed that such pupils will use their sessional ticket to travel home on a later service. Pupils can use their sessional tickets on Translink services until 18.30 hours on any given school day. A sessional ticket cost is, therefore, calculated on the basis that pupils will avail of the Translink service both to and from home on each school day.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Child Support Agency

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many non-resident parents in Scotland are paying the £5 flat rate of child support per week in the latest period for which figures are available; and in how many cases these payments are being deducted from social security payments by the Child Support Agency;
	(2)  how many Scottish Child Support Agency claims operating under the old scheme of calculation due to transfer to the new scheme, but where the transfer had not yet taken place, there were in each month since March 2003;
	(3)  how many potential child support cases in Scotland are awaiting processing at the point of entry for benefit cases via the Jobcentre Plus interface;
	(4)  what his estimate is of the number of non-resident parents for Scottish Child Support Agency claims who (a) make maintenance payments under the Child Support Agency (CSA) rules, (b) cannot be traced to pay under the CSA, (c) are assessed to have a zero liability due to low income, (d) are assessed to make payments but do not do so regularly, (e) have made alternative maintenance arrangements outside the CSA and (f) make no payments and are not referred to the CSA;
	(5)  what his estimate is of the number of Scottish Child Support Agency claims (a) received and (b) cleared in each month between January 2004 and October 2005;
	(6)  what the Child Support Agency's Scottish caseload has been in each quarter from 1997 to the third quarter of 2005; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The information requested is not available.

Child Support Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Workand Pensions what the (a) latest accuracy rates and (b) accuracy targets are for (i) new and (ii) old Child Support Agency cases; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty to Mr. David Laws, dated 1 December 2005
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the (a) latest accuracy rates and (b) accuracy targets are for (i)new and (ii) old Child Support Agency cases; and if he will make a statement.
	The compliance targets and performance rates to September 2005 are presented in the table below.
	
		Percentage
		
			   Target Performance at September 2005 
		
		
			 New scheme accuracy 90 83 
			 Old scheme accuracy 82 80 
		
	
	Note:
	Accuracy is measured cumulatively month-on-month throughout the year.
	I hope you find this helpful.

Housing Benefit

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects to report on housing benefit reform and the effects of the local housing allowance pilots.

James Plaskitt: I refer my right hon. Friend to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Wycombe (Mr. Goodman) on 24 November 2005, Official Report, column 2254W.

Pensions

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the cost tobusiness of the decision to allow into the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) the schemes of companies which had experienced an insolvency event before the PPF was launched.

Stephen Timms: The indicative view from the PPF is that the impact on levies and thus the cost to business is minimal.

Pensions

Janet Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will bring forward further measures to restore pensions lost through scheme wind-ups prior to 5 April.

Stephen Timms: The Government have set up the Financial Assistance Scheme to help some people who have lost out on their defined benefit pension because their pension scheme is winding up underfunded and the employer is insolvent or no longer exists. It will apply to schemes which started to wind-up before 6 April 2005 when the Pension Protection Fund came in.
	The scheme will be reviewed alongside other spending priorities in the forthcoming comprehensive spending review

Remploy

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Remploy employees in management grades are disabled.

Anne McGuire: There are 220 people employed by Remploy in management grades that have declared themselves as disabled.
	Source
	Remploy

Retirement Age

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he plans to increase the compulsory minimum retirement age for members of stakeholder pension plans.

Stephen Timms: The normal minimum age at which a member may draw benefits from a stakeholder pension plan will increase from 50 to 55 by 6 April 2010, in line with the new simplified tax rules for pension schemes that take effect from 6 April 2006.

HEALTH

Avian Influenza

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of which human population cohorts are most at risk from co-infection of the H5N1 and a human host adapted influenza virus;
	(2)  what steps she is taking to reduce the risk of co-infection by the H5N1 and a human host adapted influenza virus to those assessed as most at risk.

Caroline Flint: H5N1 is currently an avian influenza virus and mainly affects birds. There have been infrequent cases in some people who are closely exposed to infected poultry. As of 15 November 2005, there have been 125 cases of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza in people in South East Asia, 64 of whom have died. There is concern that the virus could evolve into a strain which readily infects people and is easily transmissible between people, resulting in a pandemic virus. This is why we are planning for a possible human flu pandemic.
	People in close contact with infected poultry, or infected material from poultry, could be most at risk of co-infection with the H5N1 virus and a human influenza virus. This could include poultry farm workers, veterinarians and others directly involved in animal disease control.
	In the event of an outbreak of H5N1 in United Kingdom poultry, those groups at high risk of exposure would be offered antiviral drugs to prevent the development of infection, and seasonal flu vaccination to prevent the risk of re-assortment with human flu virus.

Bed Occupancy (Dacorum)

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average bed occupancy rate was at NHS units in Dacorum in each year since 1997.

Caroline Flint: The average bed occupancy rate at national health service units in Dacorum in each year since 1997 is shown in the table.
	
		Occupancy rate, beds provided by West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust and Dacorum PCT, 1997–98 to 2004–05
		
			  Percentage occupancy 
		
		
			 1997–98 77.1 
			 1998–99 80.1 
			 1999–2000 81.6 
			 2000–01 85.6 
			 2001–02 86.1 
			 2002–03 87.0 
			 2003–04 79.5 
			 2004–05 79.0 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Beds provided by West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust and Dacorum PCT have been used in the table.
	2.West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust was formed on 1April 2000 following the merger of St. Albans and Hemel Hempstead NHS Trust and Mount Vernon and Watford NHS Trust.
	Source:
	Department of Health form KH03

Blood Transfusion Service

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost of the blood transfusion service in England has been in each of the last three years.

Caroline Flint: The National Blood Service 1 was responsible for the supply of blood in England and North Wales. The expenditure for the National Blood Service (NBS) for the last three years was:
	Notes:
	1 From 1 October, the National Blood Service and UK Transplant were merged to form the new organisation NHS Blood and Transplant
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 2002–03 277,344,000 
			 2003–04 307,476,000 
			 2004–05 339,781,000

Breast Cancer

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what priority is being given by the Government to (a) the treatment, (b) research into and (c) the financing of measures concerned with inflammatory breast cancer.

Rosie Winterton: The Department is taking action in several areas to improve the treatment of all breast cancers, including inflammatory breast cancer.
	Five of the newer breast cancer drugs have already been appraised by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) for use in the national health service. It is estimated that around 7,500 women could benefit from these new drugs a year;
	A number of other breast cancer drugs are currently being considered by NICE including hormonal therapies which are commonly used for inflammatory breast cancer;
	Service guidance to all professionals on breast cancer was published by NICE in August 2002. The document aims to help shape and improve the delivery of healthcare for women with breast cancer;
	NICE is also developing guidelines on the clinical management of breast cancer. This will help clinicians give the optimal care and treatment to breast cancer patients.
	Cancer is a top Government priority. In the NHS cancer plan, published September 2000, the Department confirmed its commitment to increasing investment in cancer research. The Government's total expenditure on cancer research was estimated to be £190 million in 2000–01. By 2004–05, it will be spending an additional £20 million a year on the NHS infrastructure for cancer research.
	We are already putting record amounts of new investment into the NHS—between 2003 and 2008 NHS expenditure in England will increase on average by 7.5per cent. each year. It is for primary care trusts (PCTs) to decide how best to spend these resources taking into account local circumstances.
	PCTs have many competing priorities but cancer is a national and local priority. Every PCT will have a sizeable number of people in their area who will be diagnosed with the disease, live with the disease and who die from the disease each year. PCTs will need to ensure they allocate sufficient resource to meet their local contribution to tackling cancer care or other areas.

Breast Cancer

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps she is taking to improve the accuracy of mammography screening;
	(2)  whether she plans to introduce a system which would allow for all mammography x-rays to be checked twice for signs of malignancy;
	(3)  what plans she has to increase the availability of mammography screening for younger women.

Rosie Winterton: To improve the accuracy of mammography screening we have upgraded the national health service breast screening programme (NHSBSP) by offering two-view mammography, two x-rays of each breast, at all screening rounds. Over 95per cent. of breast screening units have now implemented two-views, resulting in a 31 per cent. increase in the number of cancers detected annually since April 2001, when roll out began.
	The quality assurance process ensures that the high quality standards of the NHSBSP are not only maintained, but continue to rise year on year. As part of this continuous improvement to the service, the NHSBSP, with the Department and Cancer Research UK funding, is about to begin a major study looking at the use of computer aided reading of mammograms in addition to a human reader. This study is expected to report in two years time.
	The Department is also funding, along with the Medical Research Council and Cancer Research UK, the UK Coordinating Committee on Cancer Research randomised controlled trial of the effect on breast cancer mortality of annual mammographic screening of women starting at age 40, the age trial. The main aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of annual mammographic screening of women starting at ages 40 to 41 on mortality from breast cancer, thus giving a definitive answer to the outstanding question of whether population screening below 50 is beneficial or not. As the trial is primarily looking at mortality benefits, full results are not expected before spring 2006.

Dr. Ann David

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will ask Essex police to reopen its investigation into deaths of patients of Dr. Ann David at Basildon Hospital.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 22 November 2005
	It would not be appropriate for the Secretary of State for Health to ask Essex police to reopen its investigation into deaths of patients of Dr. Ann David at Basildon Hospital. However, the Basildon and Thurrock Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust is in contact with Essex police, who are currently considering whether to reopen their investigations into the deaths of a number of patients.

Dr. Ann David

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will establish an inquiry into patients' deaths at Basildon Hospital, consequent upon the General Medical Council removing the name of Ann David from the Register; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 22 November 2005
	The Essex Strategic Health Authority will consider whether to hold an inquiry at the conclusion of the police investigations and other procedures.

Dentistry

Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures she has taken to encourage patients to keep dental appointments; and what research her Department (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the effects of abolishing the capacity of dentists to impose a charge on patients for missed appointments to support the abolition of the option for general dental practitioners to make a small patient charge for missed appointments.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 3 November 2005
	The Department has agreed that advice should be available to the national health service and dentists about how appointments are managed to minimise missed appointments, without financial penalty to patients.
	We do not think that the level of missed appointments would seriously undermine a dentist's ability to carry out the level of weighted activity agreed in the contract.

Dentistry

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) hospital and (b community dentists have been employed in each year since 1997, broken down by strategic health authority area.

Rosie Winterton: Details of the total number of hospital and community dentists employed in each strategic health authority area since 1997 are shown in the following table.
	
		Hospital, public health medicine and community health services (HCHS) dental staff by strategic health authority, sector and year. As at 30 September each year -- Numbers (headcount)
		
			   1997 
			   Of which: 
			   All Staff Hospital Community 
		
		
			 England  3,567 2,188 1,379 
			 Of which: 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Q20 177 110 67 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Q02 73 37 36 
			 Birmingham and The Black Country Q27 241 167 74 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside Q15 209 114 95 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley Q10 85 54 31 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire Q13 120 56 64 
			 Dorset and Somerset Q22 66 52 14 
			 Essex Q03 79 46 33 
			 Greater Manchester Q14 235 152 83 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Q17 110 60 50 
			 Kent and Medway Q18 71 30 41 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Q25 82 46 36 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Q01 133 81 52 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Q11 88 58 30 
			 North Central London Q05 186 143 43 
			 North East London Q06 101 53 48 
			 North West London Q04 101 23 78 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Q09 133 97 36 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire Q26 67 45 22 
			 South East London Q07 207 170 37 
			 South West London Q08 92 59 33 
			 South West Peninsula Q21 112 73 39 
			 South Yorkshire Q23 125 90 35 
			 Surrey and Sussex Q19 162 97 65 
			 Thames Valley Q16 120 58 62 
			 Trent Q24 133 70 63 
			 West Midlands South Q28 85 38 47 
			 West Yorkshire Q12 173 108 65 
			 Other — 1 1 0 
		
	
	
		Numbers (headcount)
		
			   1998 
			   Of which: 
			   All Staff Hospital Community 
		
		
			 England  3,610 2,225 1,385 
			 Of which: 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Q20 196 117 79 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Q02 71 36 35 
			 Birmingham and The Black Country Q27 249 177 72 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside Q15 214 114 100 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley Q10 84 58 26 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire Q13 126 59 67 
			 Dorset and Somerset Q22 67 53 14 
			 Essex Q03 66 43 23 
			 Greater Manchester Q14 235 153 82 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Q17 99 52 47 
			 Kent and Medway Q18 70 31 39 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Q25 78 42 36 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Q01 131 78 53 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Q11 87 54 33 
			 North Central London Q05 197 151 46 
			 North East London Q06 98 56 42 
			 North West London Q04 115 28 87 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Q09 142 104 38 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire Q26 62 40 22 
			 South East London Q07 207 164 43 
			 South West London Q08 101 61 40 
			 South West Peninsula Q21 128 83 45 
			 South Yorkshire Q23 120 88 32 
			 Surrey and Sussex Q19 150 97 53 
			 Thames Valley Q16 128 62 66 
			 Trent Q24 130 69 61 
			 West Midlands South Q28 89 45 44 
			 West Yorkshire Q12 169 109 60 
			 Other — 1 1  
		
	
	
		Numbers (headcount)
		
			   1999 
			   Of which: 
			   All Staff Hospital Community 
		
		
			 England  3,616 2,248 1,368 
			 Of which: 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Q20 201 122 79 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Q02 69 34 35 
			 Birmingham and The Black Country Q27 220 158 62 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside Q15 227 125 102 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley Q10 69 45 24 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire Q13 115 51 64 
			 Dorset and Somerset Q22 63 49 14 
			 Essex Q03 67 44 23 
			 Greater Manchester Q14 261 183 78 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Q17 108 60 48 
			 Kent and Medway Q18 77 33 44 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Q25 71 40 31 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Q01 139 82 57 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Q11 87 55 32 
			 North Central London Q05 192 148 44 
			 North East London Q06 102 57 45 
			 North West London Q04 97 27 70 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Q09 151 112 39 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire Q26 65 44 21 
			 South East London Q07 194 151 43 
			 South West London Q08 107 66 41 
			 South West Peninsula Q21 120 70 50 
			 South Yorkshire Q23 131 100 31 
			 Surrey and Sussex Q19 148 96 52 
			 Thames Valley Q16 139 65 74 
			 Trent Q24 137 76 61 
			 West Midlands South Q28 86 45 41 
			 West Yorkshire Q12 172 109 63 
			 Other — 1 1 0 
		
	
	
		Numbers (headcount)
		
			   2000 
			   Of which: 
			   All Staff Hospital Community 
		
		
			 England  3,530 2,187 1,343 
			 Of which: 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Q20 203 114 89 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Q02 72 35 37 
			 Birmingham and The Black Country Q27 225 162 63 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside Q15 213 112 101 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley Q10 67 43 24 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire Q13 114 54 60 
			 Dorset and Somerset Q22 66 52 14 
			 Essex Q03 61 40 21 
			 Greater Manchester Q14 250 169 81 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Q17 108 59 49 
			 Kent and Medway Q18 67 28 39 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Q25 71 42 29 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Q01 128 78 50 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Q11 96 67 29 
			 North Central London Q05 157 111 46 
			 North East London Q06 105 58 47 
			 North West London Q04 93 29 64 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Q09 169 141 28 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire Q26 61 39 22 
			 South East London Q07 203 153 50 
			 South West London Q08 98 64 34 
			 South West Peninsula Q21 124 69 55 
			 South Yorkshire Q23 125 99 26 
			 Surrey and Sussex Q19 148 96 52 
			 Thames Valley Q16 129 61 68 
			 Trent Q24 131 74 57 
			 West Midlands South Q28 94 41 53 
			 West Yorkshire Q12 151 96 55 
			 Other — 1 1 0 
		
	
	
		Numbers (headcount)
		
			   2001 
			   Of which: 
			   All Staff Hospital Community 
		
		
			 England  3,532 2,184 1,348 
			 Of which: 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Q20 203 111 92 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Q02 75 30 45 
			 Birmingham and The Black Country Q27 226 157 69 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside Q15 208 114 94 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley Q10 68 37 31 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire Q13 128 58 70 
			 Dorset and Somerset Q22 56 44 12 
			 Essex Q03 61 43 18 
			 Greater Manchester Q14 237 165 72 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Q17 119 58 61 
			 Kent and Medway Q18 60 24 36 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Q25 70 42 28 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Q01 123 86 37 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Q11 103 65 38 
			 North Central London Q05 163 119 44 
			 North East London Q06 130 83 47 
			 North West London Q04 88 33 55 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Q09 154 134 20 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire Q26 56 27 29 
			 South East London Q07 208 164 44 
			 South West London Q08 105 67 38 
			 South West Peninsula Q21 130 73 57 
			 South Yorkshire Q23 111 89 22 
			 Surrey and Sussex Q19 146 95 51 
			 Thames Valley Q16 127 54 73 
			 Trent Q24 126 71 55 
			 West Midlands South Q28 88 38 50 
			 West Yorkshire Q12 163 103 60 
			 Other — 0 0 0 
		
	
	
		Numbers (headcount)
		
			   2002 
			   Of which: 
			   All Staff Hospital Community 
		
		
			 England  3,654 2,223 1,431 
			 Of which: 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Q20 207 124 83 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Q02 72 33 39 
			 Birmingham and The Black Country Q27 196 127 69 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside Q15 236 115 121 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley Q10 56 47 9 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire Q13 122 58 64 
			 Dorset and Somerset Q22 56 44 12 
			 Essex Q03 67 43 24 
			 Greater Manchester Q14 240 155 85 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Q17 118 51 67 
			 Kent and Medway Q18 68 26 42 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Q25 79 45 34 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Q01 143 84 59 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Q11 116 63 53 
			 North Central London Q05 149 125 24 
			 North East London Q06 130 84 46 
			 North West London Q04 98 38 60 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Q09 173 149 24 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire Q26 62 30 32 
			 South East London Q07 209 160 49 
			 South West London Q08 93 58 35 
			 South West Peninsula Q21 140 68 72 
			 South Yorkshire Q23 132 112 20 
			 Surrey and Sussex Q19 164 101 63 
			 Thames Valley Q16 126 55 71 
			 Trent Q24 130 69 61 
			 West Midlands South Q28 101 48 53 
			 West Yorkshire Q12 171 111 60 
			 Other — 0 0  
		
	
	
		Numbers (headcount)
		
			   2003 
			   Of which: 
			   All Staff Hospital Community 
		
		
			 England  3,763 2,245 1,518 
			 Of which: 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Q20 223 131 92 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Q02 79 34 45 
			 Birmingham and The Black Country Q27 202 132 70 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside Q15 229 120 109 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley Q10 67 42 25 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire Q13 119 54 65 
			 Dorset and Somerset Q22 63 46 17 
			 Essex Q03 62 38 24 
			 Greater Manchester Q14 277 144 133 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Q17 121 57 64 
			 Kent and Medway Q18 67 26 41 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Q25 77 43 34 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Q01 136 79 57 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Q11 117 68 49 
			 North Central London Q05 170 127 43 
			 North East London Q06 117 75 42 
			 North West London Q04 89 34 55 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Q09 169 151 18 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire Q26 74 43 31 
			 South East London Q07 203 160 43 
			 South West London Q08 95 63 32 
			 South West Peninsula Q21 144 71 73 
			 South Yorkshire Q23 123 93 30 
			 Surrey and Sussex Q19 180 113 67 
			 Thames Valley Q16 136 59 77 
			 Trent Q24 134 76 58 
			 West Midlands South Q28 105 52 53 
			 West Yorkshire Q12 185 114 71 
			 Other — 0 0  
		
	
	
		Numbers (headcount)
		
			   2004 
			   Of which: 
			   All Staff Hospital Community 
		
		
			 England  3,852 2,279 1,573 
			 Of which: 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Q20 188 124 64 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Q02 80 37 43 
			 Birmingham and The Black Country Q27 199 128 71 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside Q15 245 124 121 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley Q10 70 40 30 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire Q13 121 50 71 
			 Dorset and Somerset Q22 70 53 17 
			 Essex Q03 66 44 22 
			 Greater Manchester Q14 293 148 145 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Q17 133 53 80 
			 Kent and Medway Q18 74 25 49 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Q25 77 41 36 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Q01 133 68 65 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Q11 98 69 29 
			 North Central London Q05 182 134 48 
			 North East London Q06 139 93 46 
			 North West London Q04 98 41 57 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Q09 174 150 24 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire Q26 71 42 29 
			 South East London Q07 221 170 51 
			 South West London Q08 100 68 32 
			 South West Peninsula Q21 142 68 74 
			 South Yorkshire Q23 123 92 31 
			 Surrey and Sussex Q19 186 113 73 
			 Thames Valley Q16 133 59 74 
			 Trent Q24 146 80 66 
			 West Midlands South Q28 102 48 54 
			 West Yorkshire Q12 188 117 71 
			 Other — 0 0 0 
		
	
	Source:
	NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre medical and dental work force census.

Health Protection Agency

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Department will make a statement on (a) the evidence given by and (b) recommendations made by representatives of the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution.

Caroline Flint: The Department will be contributing to the Government response to the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution's report on Crop Spraying and the Health of Residents and Bystanders" which is being coordinated by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Officials in the Department have been discussing with the Health Protection Agency (HPA) issues of common interest with respect to the report.
	The Government response may contain direct reference to statements made by the HPA. The Government are committed to respond to the report within a year of publication.

Health Protection Agency

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the survey that the Health Protection Agency carried out on laboratories, referred to in its oral evidence given to the Royal Commission on Environmental Protection; and whether the survey will be published.

Caroline Flint: The Department will be contributing to the Government response to the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution's report on Crop Spraying and the Health of Residents and Bystanders", which is being coordinated by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Officials in the Department have been discussing with the Health Protection Agency issues of common interest with respect to the report.
	The Government response may contain direct reference to statements made by the Health Protection Agency (HPA). The Government are committed to respond to the report within a year of publication. The Department cannot comment on whether the HPA's survey will be published.

Community Pharmacies (Uxbridge)

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthhow many community pharmacies in Uxbridge constituency have (a) opened and (b) closed since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: Information on the number of community pharmacies by constituency is not centrally collected. However, information prior to 2002 is available by health authority (HA), and from 2002, by primary care trust (PCT).
	The Uxbridge constituency is currently served by Hillingdon PCT. It previously sat within Hillingdon HA.
	Table one shows the number of community pharmacies by HA prior to 2002.
	
		Table 1: By health authority 1997 to 2002
		
			  Total number of pharmacies in Hillingdon HA Opened Closed 
		
		
			 1997–98 63 0 0 
			 1998–99 62 0 1 
			 1999–2000 62 0 0 
			 2000–01 62 0 0 
			 2001–02 62 0 0 
		
	
	Table two shows the number of community pharmacies by PCI from 2002 onwards.
	
		Table 2: By primary care trust 2002–04
		
			  Total number of pharmacies in Hillingdon PCT Opened Closed 
		
		
			 2002–03 62 0 0 
			 2003–04 62 0 0 
		
	
	Notes:
	Data on pharmacy numbers:
	From October 2002, PCTs took over responsibility for community pharmacies from health authorities. Therefore, data on the number of pharmacies in England with NHS contracts is broken down to health authority level until 2001–02, and PCT level from 2002–03 level onwards. The change from HAs to PCTs may have resulted in some boundary changes that is reflected in the data.
	Information on the number of community pharmacies is collected from PCTs via the annual PHS1 data collection. The latest data available on General Pharmaceutical Services (1993–94 to 2003–04) was published in January 2005 on the website www.publication.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0505.htm.
	Data for 2004–05 is not yet available.

Influenza

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the take-up of the pneumococcal vaccine has been in (a) all those aged over 80 years and (b) all those aged over 65 years since 1997–98; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: As of 31 March 2005, around 81.0per cent. of people aged 80 years and over had been vaccinated with pneumococcal vaccine. As of the 31 March 2005, around 48.1 percent., of people aged 65 years and over had been vaccinated with pneumococcal vaccine. It should be noted that up until this date only those 75 years and over had been offered the vaccine routinely.
	The policy to vaccinate those aged 65 years and over was introduced on 1 April 2005. Data on the number of people aged 65 years and over who were vaccinated from 1 April 2005 to 1 April 2006 will be collected from autumn 2006.

Influenza

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made of the stocks of influenza vaccine in the NHS.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 15 November 2005
	There are 14 million doses of seasonal flu vaccine available this year, more than previous years, and enough to vaccinate all over 65s and those in at risk groups specified in the chief medical officer's letter of 25 July. We are aware that demand for the vaccine is higher than many surgeries were expecting at this stage in the vaccination campaign and are providing additional vaccine general practitioners from our contingency stock. In addition to this, we have obtained a further 800,000 doses which will be delivered in January.

Mixed Sex Wards

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham (Daniel Kawczynski) of 4 July 2005, Official Report, column 224W, on mixed sex wards, what criteria were used in setting the target at 95 percent. of trusts.

Rosie Winterton: The target to eliminate mixed sex accommodation in 95 percent., of national health service trusts was established following a review of health authorities' target dates for meeting three objectives to eliminate mixed-sex accommodation.
	The outcomes of this review were published in 1998 by my Noble Friend, Baroness Jay, and indicated that 95 per cent. of health authorities' forecast that they would achieve compliance by December 2002. This was adopted as the target for the NHS.

Northian and Broad Oak Surgeries

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received regarding the development of Northian and Broad Oak surgeries; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 28 November 2005
	Since June 2005, the Department has received seven letters and a parcel of 1,500 plus campaign letters.
	The campaign letters have been forwarded to Bexhill and Rother primary care trust (PCT) which commissions services from the surgeries. This is because the modernisation of primary health care premises is determined locally by consultation between PCTs and general practitioner practices in conjunction with their strategic health authorities (SHAs).
	Nationally, the Government are committed to improving the infrastructure of primary care by modernising service delivery, access and choice in the national health service. Increased funding has been made available to PCTs to implement these service improvements.
	However, PCTs have to prioritise the planning, development and improvement of services to meet the needs of local people. With their specialised knowledge of the local community, they are effectively able to manage and improve local services.
	Surrey and Sussex SHA advise that Bexhill and Rother PCT is working with partners at the surgeries to support their expansion plans within the funding that the PCT can make available.

Nutrition and Health Claims Directive

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the process will be for submitting claims to the Community Register under the proposed EU nutrition and health claims made on foods proposal; when her Department will begin the consultation process on the proposal; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: Under the proposed regulation on nutrition and health claims made on foods, member states must submit to the European Commission a list of certain health claims, notably those related to functions of the body, by one year after the regulation has been adopted. The proposal is not expected to be adopted until the second half of next year. The Food Standards Agency has been exploring possible bases for compiling the list with various interested parties and will consider how best to involve stakeholders further.

Nutrition and Health Claims Directive

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions her Department has had with other EU member states about the process for submitting claims to the Community Register under the proposed EU regulation on nutrition and health claims made on foods; what the outcome of these discussions was; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The proposed regulation is still under negotiation and not expected to be adopted until the second half of next year. Member states' lists will not have to be submitted to the Commission for a further year. No formal discussions have been held with other member states although informal soundings of some countries have shown they are starting to explore the issues involved in drawing up and submitting their lists.

Nutrition and Health Claims Directive

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Department has conducted cost impact assessments in relation to the proposed EU directive on nutrition and health claims.

Caroline Flint: An initial regulatory impact assessment (RIA) was placed in the Library with the explanatory memorandum for this proposed European Union regulation in August 2003. It has since been revised by the Food Standards Agency to reflect progress in the negotiations on the proposed measure and information received from stakeholders. The partial RIA was copied to the Chairs of the European Scrutiny Committees of both Houses in April 2005.

Obesity

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 19 July 2005, Official Report, column 1677W, on obesity, if she will place in the Library her Department's assessment of local delivery plans.

Caroline Flint: The local development plans (LDPs) including financial plans, with all strategic health authorities (SHAs) were signed off and agreed in August. As the LDPs are owned by primary care trusts and SHAs, it is usual practice for them to publish their own LDP once agreed with the Department.

Obesity

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research she has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effect of obesity on the number of visits patients make to general practitioners regarding (i)their weight and (ii) other health complaints.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 22 November 2005
	No research has been commissioned on the effect of obesity on the number of visits patients make to general practitioners regarding their weight and other health complaints. However, the National Audit Office report, Tackling Obesity in England", published in 2001, estimated that there were over 500,000 consultations recorded in 1998 at a cost of £6.8 million. As part of its enquiry into obesity, the Health Select Committee estimated that this figure had risen to £12–15 million by 2002.

Obesity

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1) what estimate she has made of the number of deaths where obesity was a contributory factor in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available;
	(2)  if she will estimate the number of deaths where obesity is a contributory factor for the next 10 years.

Caroline Flint: holding answers 22 November 2005
	The National Audit Office, in their report Tackling Obesity in England", estimated there were about 31,100 deaths in England attributable to obesity in 1998. The Health Select Committee updated this estimate to 34,100 in their 2004 report on obesity.

Obesity

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of NHS expenditure on treating conditions for which obesity is a contributory factor in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 22 November 2005
	Information on the amount spent by the national health service on treating conditions for which obesity is a contributory factor is not held centrally. However, the National Audit Office report, Tackling Obesity in England", published in 2001, estimated that the direct cost to the NHS of treating obesity and its consequences in 1998 was £480 million. As part of its inquiry into obesity, the Health Select Committee estimated that in 2002 the direct cost to the NHS was between £990 million and £1,225 million.

Organ Donation

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received on moving towards a presumption of consent for organ donation.

Rosie Winterton: This issue was debated extensively during the passage of the Human Tissue Act 2004. The Government have looked at the evidence but believes a system of presumed consent to organ donation to be contrary to the fundamental premise of the 2004 Act, which is that consent must be the basis for the donation of human organs after death. Nor do they believe that it would be effective in increasing the number of organs available for transplantation.

Organ Donation

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action is being taken by her Department to improve organ donation rates.

Rosie Winterton: Action to improve donation rates includes providing more than £10 million since 2001 to UK Transplant to run hospital-based schemes such as live donor co-ordinators and non-heartbeating schemes, to increase the number of donors; and around £150,000 in section 64 funding each year to a number of charities to promote the organ donor register and to promote organ donation more widely. UK Transplant's recent year-long campaign to mark the 10th anniversary of the organ donor register resulted in one million additional registrations. Currently, almost 13 million people have registered, agreeing to help others after their death.

Patient and Public Involvement

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the terms of reference of the Department's strategic review of patient and public involvement in health; and when she expects it to be completed.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 3 November 2005
	A summary of the terms of reference is as follows:
	We propose to carry out a strategic review of PPI to understand fully the need for PPI and accountability. The review being an umbrella title for a range of activities that will take place between now and the launch of the health and care outside hospitals (HCOH) White Paper, to draw together evidence on good practice in PPI and consideration of how it can be strengthened further. The review will draw evidence from desk research mapping the current configuration and interaction of various parts of the PPI structure, the HCOH deliberative consultation, and a targeted engagement exercise that will run alongside the consultation to check out and explore ideas and their implications for PPI as they emerge. 1 "
	The review is taking place alongside the your health, your care, your say consultation and the work of the having my say policy taskforce, which will make wider recommendations on how national health service and social care services need to respond to the views and choices of its users. The work of the policy taskforce will help shape a new White Paper to be published at the turn of the year on improving community health and social care.
	Source:
	1 Project brief 1.0

Pesticides

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what division in her Department is responsible for health aspects of pesticide use; what research programmes have been undertaken in the last five years; and which personnel have been involved.

Caroline Flint: The Department works closely with other Government Departments and agencies on matters related to the health aspects of pesticides use. The Health Protection—toxicology and radiation branch has responsibility for advice to the Secretary of State on these health aspects. Various personnel in this branch have been involved in provision of this advice.
	In the last five years, the Department has, in conjunction with Imperial College and the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides, initiated research using the hospital episode statistics database for England concerning admitted cases of pesticide poisoning. The Department is also undertaking an anonymised retrospective review of data held by the pesticides incident appraisal panel of likely and confirmed cases of irritancy.

Premature Babies

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will assess the merits of introducing a preventative treatment programme for premature babies based on the revised recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

Caroline Flint: The advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation on preventative treatment for respiratory syncytial virus is currently being considered by the Department.

Primary Care Trusts

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) deficit for the 2004–05 financial year and (b) projected deficit for the 2005–06 financial year was for (i) South Hams and West Devon primary care trust, (ii) Teignbridge primary care trust, (iii) Torbay primary care trust, (iv) South Devon Health Care NHS Trust, (v) Westcountry Ambulance Services NHS Trust, (vi)Devon Partnership NHS Trust and (vii) South West Peninsula strategic health authority.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 29 November 2005
	The audited year-end financial position for the organisations requested is provided in the table.
	
		£000
		
			 Organisation Surplus/(Deficit) 2004–05 
		
		
			 South West Peninsula Strategic Health Authority 5,889 
			 South Hams and West Devon Primary Care Trust 21 
			 Teignbridge Primary Care Trust 474 
			 Torbay Primary Care Trust 188 
			 South Devon Healthcare National Health Service Trust 81 
			 Westcountry Ambulance Services NHS Trust 35 
			 Devon Partnership NHS Trust (535) 
		
	
	The Department does not currently publish unaudited information relating to the in-year financial position of NHS organisations.

Prostate Cancer

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if she will ensure that revisions to the prostate cancer risk management programme are discussed by the prostate cancer advisory group;
	(2)  when she will publish her Department's evaluation of the prostate cancer risk management programme;
	(3)  what estimate she has made of the proportion of general practitioners who are aware of the prostate cancer risk management programme.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 11 November 2005
	The Department is committed to evaluating the prostate cancer risk management programmes (PCRMP). The primary care resource packs, issued to all general practitioners (GPs) in England in September 2002, were developed by the Cancer Research UK primary care education research group, Oxford, in collaboration with NHS cancer screening programmes and the Department.
	The Cancer Research UK primary care education research group is now in the process of evaluating the use of the packs. This evaluation includes:
	a national survey of 400 GPs to describe their current practice and attitudes regarding public service agreement (PSA) testing for prostate cancer, as well as their views of the PCRMP policy and information pack;
	a population survey of 900 men aged 40 to 75 designed to look at the impact of the PCRMP patient information sheet on men's knowledge and attitudes regarding prostate cancer and the PSA test, their future intentions regarding having a PSA test, and what factors influence these intentions;
	a series of focus groups and interviews are being conducted with a sample of men from the population survey to gather more in-depth information on their views on PSA testing, and to explore how best to assist informed decision-making on this topic.
	The evaluation is being jointly funded by the Department via NHS cancer screening programmes and Cancer Research UK, and results are expected to be published in peer reviewed journals in spring 2006. The results of the evaluation will inform the revision of the pack, which will be relaunched next summer, and will be discussed by the prostate cancer advisory group.

Public Service Agreement

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether 2004 public service agreement target6 refers to problem drug users who have been through treatment programmes in a specific year.

Caroline Flint: The 2004 public service agreement target six refers to problem drug users who have been through treatment programmes in a specific financial year.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the number of babies who will be affected by the revised recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation on preventative treatment for respiratory syncytial virus.

Caroline Flint: It has been estimated by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation that the revised recommendations would mean that around 2,000 babies would receive treatment. The Department will review these estimates.

Skin Cancer

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps her Department is taking to increase public awareness of the danger of skin cancer caused by excess exposure to sunlight.

Rosie Winterton: SunSmart, run by Cancer Research UK, was launched in 2003 as the national skin cancer prevention and sun protection campaign. It was commissioned by the Department and the other United Kingdom health departments to highlight the risks and dangers associated with exposure to sunlight and to offer information and advice. SunSmart's activities include raising public and professional awareness of the dangers of skin cancer and excess sunlight through media briefings, support for health promotion activities, and through the SunSmart website. This year, SunSmart has particularly campaigned on raising awareness of the dangers of skin cancer amongst children and young people and has helped schools in developing their own sun protection policies through school guidelines produced by SunSmart.

Smoking

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment her Department has made of the proportion of the population who want a complete ban on smoking in work places and all enclosed public spaces.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 22 November 2005
	The results of the consultation on the smoke-free elements of the Health Bill were published on 24 November 2005, and are available on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/12/36/21/04123621.pdf.
	Copies are also available in the Library.

Smoking

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will publish the (a) minutes of the meetings of the (i) Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health and (ii) its Technical Advisory Group on the effects of second-hand smoke and (b) the conclusions reached at each meeting.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 29 November 2005
	We have received a Freedom of Information request from the Tobacco Manufacturers' Association for the minutes of these meetings and departmental Officials are currently working on this.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Serious Fraud Office

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Solicitor-General pursuant to the answer of 22 November 2005, Official Report, column 1885W, on the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), if he will place in the Library briefing provided to the Attorney-General by the SFO relating to difficulties it has faced in (a) investigating and (b) prosecuting overseas corruption offences in such cases where legal proceedings are (i) not commenced and (ii) completed.

Mike O'Brien: I will not provide such case briefing material but earlier this year the Attorney-General commissioned a paper from the SFO setting out the policy and legislative changes that they thought would most assist them in the investigation and prosecution of overseas corruption offences. Work is continuing on the options identified and it is hoped that it will be possible to place some of the proposals in the public domain in the near future.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much money has been committed to the Afghan drug-control strategy in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The UK has spent the following amounts on the Afghan counter narcotics (CN) strategy over the last four years:
	
		
			 Financial year Amount spent (£) 
		
		
			 2001–02 31,000 
			 2002–03 1,599,036 
			 2003–04 16,500,931 
			 2004–05 24,442,350 
		
	
	In this financial year, the UK is spending in the region of £100 million on all CN activity, £50 million of which is for Alternative Livelihoods.
	On 5 September, I announced new UK funding for Afghan CN activity in a joint press conference with Afghan CN Minister Qaderi. In total, we will provide more than £270 million over the next three financial years. This is a funding increase of £115 million. £130 million of this funding will be provided by the Department for International Development with the rest coming from other Government Departments including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence and the Home Office.
	The funding will be spent on CN activity supporting the Government of Afghanistan in delivering their National Drugs Control Strategy. In the next three years we will focus on the following three key priorities, which we judge will make the greatest impact on tackling the drugs trade. First, targeting the trafficker and the top end of the drugs trade. Second, strengthening and diversifying legal rural livelihood opportunities. And third, developing strong and effective CN institutions. In line with these priorities, we will spend over 50 per cent. of the £270 million budget on law enforcement, interdiction and criminal justice activity.

Bribery

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many complaints of bribery have been made against British-based companies since the OECD convention on bribery came into force; how many investigations have been undertaken; and how many prosecutions have been undertaken.

Ian Pearson: Part 12 of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 extended the jurisdiction of the UK judicial system to acts of bribery committed wholly overseas by UK nationals or companies incorporated in the UK. Since the Act came into force in February 2002 approximately 60 allegations of foreign bribery have been reported to UK law enforcement agencies. Of these about 20 are under consideration for formal investigation. So far no charges have yet been brought under the provisions of the Act.

Caribbean Countries

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what impact EU external action has had on funding for the Caribbean countries; and what progress has been made on the proposed EU sugar reforms.

Douglas Alexander: At the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 24 November, EU Minister agreed to reform the EU Sugar Regime. These major reforms will bring the regime into line with other sectors of the common agricultural policy which have already been through reform. They will produce significant economic benefits and put the EU in a stronger position ahead of the World Trade Organisation negotiations in Hong Kong in December. The reforms will also benefit producers in some of the world's poorest countries, which have had to compete with dumped EU sugar exports. This will open up new opportunities for them on world and regional markets.
	We recognise the negative short-term impacts that the EU reforms will have on some African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) sugar producers with preferential access to the EU market. However, a smaller price cut and longer adjustment period than originally proposed will give the ACP a better opportunity to adjust to the reforms. The EU will also provide transitional assistance to help them improve their efficiency in the sugar sector where feasible or diversify into more profitable sectors.
	The Commission similarly implemented an assistance scheme for ACP banana producers in 1999 after the last reform of the EU banana regime. We are working closely with the European Commission to improve the efficiency with which funds are allocated to those who need it.
	EC funding for Caribbean countries is provided principally through the European Development Fund (EDF). The EU in February this year agreed that the overall funding for the EDF, which also covers African and Pacific countries, should increase in the next EDF period. A precise figure has yet to be agreed.

Chagos Islands

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much in legal fees the Government has incurred in the Chagos Islands case in respect of (a) the judicial review decided on 3 November 2000, (b) the group litigation decided by the Court of Appeal in July 2004 and (c) the judicial review concerning the Orders in Council dated June 2004.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 28 November 2005
	There have been three separate legal cases concerning the Chagos Islands, British Indian Ocean Territory. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, has paid the following sums in respect of legal fees incurred in defending those cases:
	R (Bancoult) v. Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and another
	£175,268.44—Secretary of State's legal fees; £280,000—applicant's legal fees paid by the Secretary of State following judgment in favour of the applicant.
	Chagos Islanders v. (1) The Attorney-General; (2) Her Majesty's British Indian Ocean Territory Commissioner
	£752,362.78—Secretary of State's legal fees.
	R (Bancoult) v. Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
	£247,724.19—Secretary of State's legal fees. The case is ongoing and further legal fees will be incurred.

China

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the Government are taking in respect of the persecution of Christians in China.

Ian Pearson: We regularly raise concerns about freedom of religious belief in China with the Chinese Government. We did so at the last UK China Human Rights Dialogue in June. Freedom of religion was a focus of the last EU China Human Rights Dialogue in October. We include cases of Christians among individual cases of concern raised within these dialogues. Ministers regularly raise human rights with Chinese interlocutors.

China

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to address human rights concerns in China.

Ian Pearson: We raise our concerns with the Chinese government regularly, including through the UK China Human Rights Dialogue, ministerial engagement and EU mechanisms such as the EU China Human Rights Dialogue and EU demarches.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's relations with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Ian Pearson: The UK remains committed to working towards long-term peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We support the transitional government process and continue to exert pressure on the Government to hold credible elections within the June 2006 deadline. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development (Hilary Benn) reinforced this message during his recent visit to the DRC.
	The UK is one of the largest bilateral donors to the DRC. We have a £55 million package of bilateral development assistance this year, with a focus on ending conflict and supporting the transition process to start to move towards long-term development. Other support includes justice reform to end the culture of impunity, delivery of health and education services, infrastructure rehabilitation, media and work on the transparent management of natural resources. We work closely withnon-governmental organisations, the UN, the EC, World Bank and other bilateral partners.

Diego Garcia

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what permission is required from (a) his Department and (b) the UK diplomatic representative of the British Indian Ocean Territory for (i) US military missions and (ii) landing of US military or civilian aircraft on the island of Diego Garcia.

Douglas Alexander: The 1976 Exchange of Notes, the Diego Garcia Agreement, between the Government and the Government of the United States of America concerning a United States Navy Support Facility on Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory, states in paragraph 3 that:
	Both Governments shall consult periodically on joint objectives, policies and activities in the area. As regards the use of the facility in normal circumstances, the US Commanding Officer and the Officer in Charge of the United Kingdom Service element shall inform each other of intended movements of ships and aircraft. In other circumstances the use of the facility shall be a matter for the joint decision of the two Governments."
	The Diego Garcia Agreement is published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office in the United Kingdom Treaty Series, No. 19 (1976).

Ecuador

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in Ecuador since April.

Douglas Alexander: Former President Gutierrez was dismissed by Congress in April following demonstrations in Quito in protest at interference by Gutierrez in the judiciary. Gutierrez had controversially dismissed the Supreme Court. Congress appointed the Vice-President, Alfredo Palacio, to replace him. President Palacio has called for a popular consultation on possible political reforms. His Government is in discussion with political parties in Congress, and with representative social organisations, on the possible format and timing of a popular referendum. There is no agreement so far. The appointment of new judges to a new Supreme Court is expected shortly.
	With our European partners, we are monitoring the situation in Ecuador closely.

EU Directives

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which EU directives he expects will be converted into regulations in accordance with the policy set out in COM (2005) 535.

Douglas Alexander: The Commission made a series of proposals for simplifying existing European legislation in its Communication COM (2005) 535. We have welcomed these proposals as a practical contribution to the common efforts of the Commission and UK Presidency to pursue the European better regulation agenda—an agenda crucial to European competitiveness. The Commission Communication includes proposals to substitute directives with regulations, where this fits with simplification goals and principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. The choice of legal instrument will be decided on a case by case basis, with negotiations on the individual dossiers beginning in 2006.

EU Reform

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent progress in the reform of the European Union's institutions.

Douglas Alexander: The Government's focus during the UK presidency of the EU is on taking forward a wider debate about the future direction of the EU rather than looking once again at its institutional architecture. The EU needs to find new ways to meet better the challenge of globalisation. In that context the UK will continue to advocate positive reforms of the EU institutions where it makes sense.

European Parliament

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the rules of procedure governing the conference of Presidents of the European Parliament.

Douglas Alexander: The rules governing the conference of Presidents, who are the heads of the political groups in the European Parliament, are contained within the rules of procedure of the European Parliament, specifically rules 23, 24, 28 and 200. A copy of these rules is already in the Library of the House.

European Union (Opt-outs)

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 16 November 2005, Official Report, column1266W, on European Union (opt-outs), in which areas where the UK had an option not to participate the Government have joined in specific policy developments since 1997.

Douglas Alexander: The UK retains the right to opt in to EU measures on visas, asylum, immigration and other policies related to the free movement of persons (Title IV TEC), as set out in the 1999 treaty of Amsterdam. We opt in to such measures when it is in our interests to co-operate with our EU partners and where they are not incompatible with our right to operate and retain our own frontier controls. The UK has opted in to all proposals and measures on judicial co-operation in civil matters.
	In reference to immigration and asylum, I refer the hon. Member to the answer that my right hon. Friend, the Member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun (Mr.Browne) gave to the right hon. Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory), on 7 March, 2005, Official Report, column 1596W. Since that question was answered, the UK has opted into three further immigration and asylum proposals: a proposal for a council decision establishing a European fund for the Integration of third-country nationals and two proposals for decisions of the European Parliament and Council establishing a European refugee fund and a European return fund.

India

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on India's compliance with the Nuclear Suppliers Group rules.

Kim Howells: India is not a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and therefore is not bound by the rules of the group. India has taken action in recent years to conform to international non-proliferation norms, for example the adoption of new export control legislation in April this year. The commitments made by India in its joint statement with the US on 18 July include adhering to the guidelines of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

Iran

David Lepper: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Iran regarding (a) the provisions of the 1991 Memorandum of the Supreme Revolutionary Council of Iran regarding expulsion of Baha'is from university and (b) access to education for Baha'is in Iran.

Kim Howells: During the UK's presidency of the EU, we have pressed the Iranian authorities on several occasions to address the problems faced by the Baha'i community. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary did so when he first met Iran's new Foreign Minister, Manuchehr Mottaki, in September. The access of Baha'is in Iran to higher education is of particular concern. In 1993 the special representative of the UN Commission on Human Rights reported the existence of a 1991 memorandum from the Supreme Revolutionary Council of Iran that informed all authorities to deny Baha'i students access to university. The Baha'i International Community continue to report that Baha'i students are not able to access higher education unless they deny their faith or accept that it is recorded incorrectly on official university forms. The UK co-sponsored a resolution on human rights in Iran that was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly Third Committee on 18 November. The resolution expresses serious concern at, among other things, the
	increased discrimination against the Baha'is, including ... the denial of access to higher education."

Iran

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has raised Iranian help to Iraqi insurgents with the government of Iran.

Kim Howells: We continue to investigate extremist Shia groups in Iraq and their reported links to Iran. Ministers and officials have discussed these links with the Iranian authorities on many occasions. Senior officials did so most recently on 15 November. We have pressed Iran to do more to live up to its public commitments to fight terrorism, improve border security, and not to interfere in Iraq's internal affairs.

Iraq

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the use of private military companies in Iraq.

Kim Howells: The Government do not employ private companies in Iraq for military purposes. However, we do employ two companies for security purposes: ArmorGroup, which provide static guarding of our compounds in Baghdad and Basra; and Control Risks Group, which provides mobile security.

Israel

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations the Government have made to Israel on withdrawal from the Occupied Territories.

Kim Howells: We welcome Israel's recent withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank. We believe the next step should be for both sides to meet their Roadmap commitments. The Roadmap is the best way to achieve a lasting and just settlement of two viable states living side by side in peace and security with their neighbours.

Latin America (Trade Disputes)

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the trade dispute between Venezuela and Mexico.

Ian Pearson: We consider this to be a bilateral issue between the two Governments.

Liberia

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the President of Liberia; and what was discussed.

Ian Pearson: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and the new President of Liberia, Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, have not met.

Nuclear Proliferation

Peter Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken by the Government to ensure the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons in the last five years.

Kim Howells: The UK continues to regard the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as the cornerstone of the nuclear non-proliferation regime and has played an active role over the past five years of the treaty review cycle. We have promoted strengthening of the treaty and have addressed the challenges it faces, by implementing the decisions of past review conferences, and taking forward work in the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Nuclear Suppliers' Group. We played an active role in the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540 and continue to do so in the 1540 Committee.
	The UK takes part in the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), which contributes to fulfilling the requirement of UNSCR 1540 to take co-operative action to prevent illicit trafficking in nuclear, chemical or biological weapons, their means of delivery and related materials. The UK secured important counter-proliferation amendments to the Convention on the Suppression of Unlawful Acts at Sea.
	The UK has been active on specific country issues. Working with the US, the UK was able to convince Libya in December 2003 to abandon its weapons of mass destruction programmes, which led to the uncovering and dismantlement of the international proliferation network run by AQ Khan and his associates. With France and Germany, supported by the office of the EU high representative, we have been working for two years to reach a long term arrangement which will give the international community objective guarantees regarding the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme. While not directly involved in the 6 Party Talks on North Korea's nuclear programme, the UK has regularly expressed its support for the process as the best available means to reach a solution based on negotiation.

Security Personnel

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many security personnel (a) are employed overseas by his Department and (b) were so employed in the 2004–05 financial year; and how many are (i) in-house and (ii) contract staff in each case.

Douglas Alexander: In the financial year 2004–05, approximately 500 contract staff were employed under the overseas security contracts paid by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London. In addition there were 37 UK based security managers employed in our overseas missions.
	Figures for those missions who have guarding contracts with local security companies are not available centrally and would only be available at disproportionate cost.

Sick Leave

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of his Department's employees who are within one year of the official retirement age are on extended sick leave.

Douglas Alexander: There are three employees over the age of 59 in the Foreign and Commonwealth Officer who are on extended sick leave.

Terrorism (Human Rights)

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the UK has taken at EU level to ensure full respect for European human rights law in the event of the detention by a non-EU state of a person suspected of a terrorist act or intent within any state of the EU.

Ian Pearson: All EU member states are parties to the European convention on human rights and, as such, are obliged to secure to everyone within their jurisdiction the rights and freedoms set out in the convention. Individuals claiming to be the victim of a violation of a convention right by one of the parties are entitled to make an application to the European Court of Human Rights. The EU has consistently stressed the importance of respect for human rights in the fight against terrorism.

Uzbekistan

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answers of 24 November 2005, Official Report, columns 2247–48W, on Uzbekistan, to the hon. Member for Hammersmith and Fulham (Mr. Hands), when EU Ministers plan to review the exemption of Islam Karimov and his family from the list of Uzbek officials banned from travelling to the European Union; what discussions he has had with German authorities regarding the visit of Uzbek Interior Minister Almatov; and whether Mr. Almatov is still in Germany.

Douglas Alexander: The measures announced by the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 3 October in relation to Uzbekistan came into force on 14 November. They clearly demonstrate the profound concern of the European Union (EU) about the situation in Uzbekistan and the EU's strong condemnation of the refusal of the Uzbek authorities' to allow an independent international inquiry into the events in Andizhan in May.
	The Council decided to implement these measures for an initial period of one year. In the meantime, the Council will keep under constant review the measures it has implemented in the light of any significant changes to the current situation, in particular any that demonstrate the willingness of the Uzbek authorities to adhere to the principles of respect for human rights, rule of law and fundamental freedoms.
	The German authorities consulted us before Almatov's visa was issued and we agreed with their assessment that Almatov qualified for an exemption as a case of urgent humanitarian need. Our embassy in Berlin remains in contact with the German authorities with regard to this case.
	The details of Almatov's presence are a matter for the Germans.

West Papua

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is with regard to West Papua; if he will make representations regarding alleged human rights abuses there; what steps he is taking to ensure that this part of Indonesia is subject to international scrutiny; and what discussions his Department has had with those organisations that wish to secede from Indonesia.

Ian Pearson: We support the territorial integrity of Indonesia. We encourage the Indonesian Government to engage in dialogue with Papuan representatives and to proceed with full implementation of the 2001 Special Autonomy legislation. We are encouraged by the formation of the Papuan People's Council (MRP) in November 2005. The MRP is made up of native Papuans and will act as an advisory panel to the devolved Papuan legislature (DPRP), advising on a range of issues that affect native Papuans.
	We also welcome the high priority that the President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, has attached to the resolution of conflict in Papua and his commitment, on 17 August, to resolve the issue of Papua in a peaceful, just and dignified manner by emphasising dialogue. As part of this, President Yudhoyono met a delegation of Papuan leaders on 9 August. He has stated that he will implement the Special Autonomy law. We and other members of the international community encourage him to do so. We hope that the MRP can work together with the local and central Government to bring about solutions to Papua's problems.
	We are concerned about reports of human rights abuses in Papua, and we raise these with the Government of Indonesia.
	Staff from our embassy in Jakarta make periodic visits to Papua to discuss the situation with local Papuan organisations, human rights organisations, church leaders, academics and non-governmental organisations.

Zimbabwe

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what issues he has raised with the Zimbabwe High Commission in the last12 months; and what result was achieved in each case.

Ian Pearson: Over the last 12 months, the Zimbabwean ambassador has been summoned three times by Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Ministers. My noble Friend the Minister for Africa (Lord Triesman of Tottenham), formally protested about Operation Murambatsvina on 13 June, while my hon. Friend, the former Minister for Africa (Mr. Mullin) protested against the pre-election crackdown on the media and the opposition on 22 February. My right hon. Friend the former Minister for Europe (Mr. MacShane) also summoned the Zimbabwean ambassador in November 2004, to express concern at British journalists denied access to cover the England cricket tour of Zimbabwe. FCO officials have also maintained a dialogue with other Zimbabwe embassy staff, ensuring our concerns on the manipulated elections, the crackdown on urban poor and the continued lack of respect for good governance, human rights and the rule of law, are clear and understood.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Arrest Warrants (Gravesham)

Adam Holloway: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many warrants were issued from Dartford magistrates court for the arrest of non-attendees resident in Gravesham in the last year for which figures are available.

Harriet Harman: The information is as follows:
	Warrants issued by Dartford magistrates court
	The requested data are not available. Data is recorded for the Dartford and Gravesham Local Justice Area only.
	Between 1 November 2004 and 31 October 2005 the following warrants were issued in respect of absent defendants for Dartford and Gravesham Local Justice Area.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Fail To Appear Warrants 440 
			 Other (Crime) Warrants 21 
			 Misc. Breach Warrants 116 
			 Total Warrants 577

Child Care Lawyers

Greg Hands: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the duty of care that child care lawyers have to the children of their clients.

Bridget Prentice: Lawyers dealing with public law Children Act work may be representing the parents or other carers of children subject to a section 31 application.
	In contract law, the lawyer's obligations are to his/her client to deliver the relevant service. A duty of care indicates a liability, including for damages in negligence (as opposed to contract).
	Professional conduct obligations are a matter for the Law Society. The Professional Conduct Rules are set out in the Guide to the Professional Conduct of Solicitors published by the Law Society.
	The Law Society's Good Practice in ChildCare Cases says
	Solicitors must ensure that the principle that a child's interests are paramount is reflected in the conduct of the case itself. Solicitors acting for local authorities, for parents and other adult parties, or for the child or children's guardian, giving instructions on the child's behalf, all have a duty to act on the instructions of their particular client. Each client may have a different view on the child's interests. However, all solicitors can, and should, adopt a child-focused approach by ensuring that the presentation of their client's case takes into account the needs of the child throughout."

Criminal Offences

Simon Hughes: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will list criminal offences created in legislation sponsored by the Department since May 1997, broken down by Act.

Harriet Harman: The following primary legislation that falls under the current responsibilities of the Department for Constitutional Affairs has been passed since May 1997:
	1997–98
	Audit Commission (Consolidation) Act 1998
	Human Rights Act 1998
	Magistrates' Courts (Procedure) Act 1998
	Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1998
	Petroleum Bill (Consolidation) Act 1998
	1998–99
	Access to Justice Act 1999
	Contracts (Right of Third Parties) Act 1999
	Trustee Delegation Act 1999
	1999–2000
	Freedom of Information Act 2000
	Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000
	Trustee Act 2000
	2001–02
	Criminal Defence Service (Advice & Assistance) Act 2001
	Regulatory Reform Act 2001
	Commonhold and Leasehold Act 2002
	European Parliamentary Elections Act 2002
	Land Registration Act 2002
	Public Trustee Act 2002
	2002–03
	Courts Act 2003
	European Parliament (Representation) Act 2003
	2003–04
	European Parliament & Local Elections (Pilots) Act 2004
	Gender Recognition Act 2004
	Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004
	2004–05
	Constitutional Reform Act 2005
	Mental Capacity Act 2005
	Inquiries Act 2005

Franchise (Mobile Homes)

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what eligibility UK nationals with rights of residency in a mobile home for nine out of 12 months a year and a full-time address elsewhere in the UK have to vote in (a) general elections and (b) local elections in the UK in the constituency where the mobile home is located.

Harriet Harman: A UK national must be resident at an address within an electoral area to be included in the relevant register of electors. Residence is not defined in law but it has been ruled by the courts to entail a considerable degree of permanence. In practice, Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) normally require someone to be resident at an address for four to six months of the year in order for them to be included in the electoral register. Provided the mobile home was permanently sited in a particular location for at least six months of each year and the elector could satisfy the ERO responsible for the electoral area where it was sited that he or she was resident in that mobile home during that period it is likely that the elector would be included in the relevant electoral registers and would therefore be entitled to vote there in any general or local election.

Vehicle Details

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what guidance her Department has provided to (a) the Department for Transport and (b) the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in respect of the provision upon request by DVLA of vehicle owner details to private individuals and companies.

Harriet Harman: None. The Department for Constitutional Affairs' website provides information on the Data Protection Act 1998, with particular emphasis on the needs of the general public. It is the task of the Information Commissioner, as the independent regulator established under the terms of the Data Protection Act 1998, to issue guidance on the operation of the Act, to designate best practices for data controllers, and to consider particular data processing circumstances that raise compliance issues.

Voter Registration

Peter Bone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will introduce individual voter registration.

Harriet Harman: The Electoral Administration Bill, currently before Parliament, includes provision for the collection of personal identifiers such as individual signatures and dates of birth at the point at which a person registers to vote.
	In order that the effect of this policy may be tested in order to obtain evidence as to whether it should be implemented or not, the Bill provides for personal identifiers to be first piloted at a local level, with the results to be evaluated by the Electoral Commission.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Asylum Seekers

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers were placed in each local authority area in Essex in each year since 1997.

Tony McNulty: Information in respect of the number of persons dispersed to an area during a given year is not available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.
	Information on the number of asylum seekers supported directly by NASS is published quarterly. The next publication covering the third quarter of 2005 (July to September) was made available on 22 November on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.hml

Asylum Seekers

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum-seekers deported from the UK in (a) 2000, (b) 2001, (c) 2002, (d) 2003, (e) 2004 and (f) 2005 were due to sit examinations for (i) GCSEs or (ii) A-levels in the year they were deported; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: No information is available to the Home Office on asylum seekers who were due to sit GCSE or A-level exams in their year of removal.
	Information on the removals of asylum applicants is published quarterly on the Home Office RDS website:
	www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html
	
		Removals of failed minor asylum seekers by quarter for 2004 and 2005(15)
		
			  2004 2005 
			  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total Q1 Q2 
		
		
			 Adult 3,485 3,290 3,180 3,030 12,985 3,075 3,160 
			 Minor 605 485 400 405 1,895 365 425 
			 Unknown(16) 10 10 10 5 30 0 5 
			 Grand total 4,100 3,780 3,585 3,440 14,905 3,445 3,590 
		
	
	(15)Minors defined as under 18 on the date of their removal.
	(16)For those where no date of birth is available.
	Notes:
	1.This is based on provisional management information.
	2.The figures have been rounded to the nearest five and totals may not sum.

Asylum Seekers

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been returned to EU member states under the provisions of the Dublin II Regulation since it came into force on 1 September 2003.

Tony McNulty: A total of approximately 2,600 failed asylum seekers (including dependants) have been returned under the provisions of the Dublin II Regulations between 1 September 2003 and 30 September 2005. These totals are based on internal management information. The regular asylum statistics are available from the Library of the House and on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Community Support Officers

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  whether he plans to increase the number of police community support officers working in (a) Battle, (b) Etchingham, (c) Ticehurst and (d) Hurst Green in East Sussex;
	(2)  whether he plans to increase the number of community support police officers in Bexhill-on-Sea; and how many are working in the town.

Hazel Blears: We are making funding available to help increase the number of community support officers (CSOs) in England and Wales to 24,000 by 2008. This investment will help deliver our commitment that by 2008 every area in England and Wales will have access to a dedicated, visible, accessible and responsive neighbourhood policing team.
	CSOs are employed by police authorities, and their deployment is an operational matter for the Chief Constable. At 30 June 2005 Sussex police had 237 CSOs of whom the Hastings and Rother Division, which includes Bexhill, had 36.

Countryside Alliance Protests

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act during the Countryside Alliance protests in Parliament Square on 15 September 2004.

Hazel Blears: According to police records, no arrests were made on 15 September 2004 under the Terrorism Act 2000.

County Councils Legislation

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if he will introduce legislation to extend the provisions of the Kent County Council Act 2001 and the Medway Council Act 2001 to the whole of England and Wales; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what measures he is taking to tackle the sale of counterfeit goods at car boot sales; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Kent County Council Act 2001 and the Medway Council Act 2001 (the Kent Acts) provide for the regulation of traders in both second-hand goods and occasional sales. The Act required both councils to submit jointly a report to the Home Secretary on the working of the provisions of the Acts. When I laid their report before Parliament in December 2004 I undertook to consult further on the case for extending the legislation throughout England and Wales.
	The consultation paper which I plan to launch shortly will seek views on the best way forward. While focusing predominantly on the issues around the registration of traders in second-hand goods, the consultation will also seek views on the regulation of occasional sales, such as car boot sales.

Criminal Records Bureau Checks

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Criminal Records Bureau checksin Wales have given incorrect or inappropriate information on criminal records to individuals applying for an enhanced disclosure award broken down by regions of Wales.

Andy Burnham: The information sought by the hon. member for Bridgend is not available in the format requested.
	The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) does operate a procedure for applicants to contest, or dispute the information provided on their Disclosure. If, upon investigation the CRB finds that a conviction(s) do not relate to the person for whom the Disclosure was issued, they will re-issue a corrected Disclosure free of charge. Prior to the launch of the CRB, had an applicant applied for a position which required a police check under the previous arrangements, details of any alleged convictions would have been passed only to the prospective employer and not to the applicant. Applicants now have the opportunity to contest any conviction details.

Crime Statistics

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total level of violent crime recorded by the police in North Kent was in each of the last two years for which figures are available.

Hazel Blears: The available information relates to the number of offences recorded in the North Kent basic command unit (BCU) and is given in the table.
	
		Number of offences recorded in the North Kent basic command unit, 2004–05
		
			 Offence type 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 Violence against the person 2,812 3,387 
			
			 Sexual offences(17) 141 184 
			
			 Robbery 288 355 
			
			 Violent crime 3,241 3,926 
		
	
	(17)The Sexual Offences Act 2003, introduced in May 2004, altered the definition and coverage of sexual offences.

Crime Statistics

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average number of crimes per day was in the Essex police force area in each of the last five years.

Hazel Blears: The published data relate to the number of crimes recorded by the Essex police in terms of financial years and is given in the table.
	The introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002 had the effect of increasing the total number of offences recorded in Essex by an estimated 21 per cent. in the first year. This means that figures for the financial year 2002–03 and later are not directly comparable with those for earlier years.
	
		Table :1 offences recorded by the police in Essex—2000–01 and 2001–02
		
			 Period Total no. of recorded offences 
		
		
			 2000–01 106,768 
			 2001–02 113,150 
		
	
	Note:
	The data in this table is prior to the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard. These figures are not directly comparable with those for later years.
	
		Table 2: offences recorded by the police in Essex 2002–03 to 2004–05
		
			 Period Total no. of recorded offences 
		
		
			 2002–03 136,181 
			 2003–04 144,512 
			 2004–05 134,789 
		
	
	Note:
	The data in this table takes account of the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are not directly comparable with those for earlier years.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the work of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is a non-departmental public body, which is responsible for all first and reviewed decisions on applications made under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. Appeals against decisions of the Authority are considered by an independent tribunal, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel. There is no onward right of appeal to the Secretary of State. The Home Secretary has policy responsibility for the Compensation Scheme, and the general working of CICA is kept under review by the Home Office on a continuing basis.

Criminal Justice Act

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made towards implementing conditional cautioning under Part 3 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Conditional Cautions scheme has been implemented in six Early Implementation Areas to test its application and adaptation from policy to local frontline delivery.
	This began in one police basic command unit in each area, with the intention of growing the scheme across the wider police force area once the pathfinder phase was complete. Lancashire is the first force to use the scheme across their police force. The evaluation report from these Early Implementation Areas is due to be published in early 2006 but initial indications suggest that overall use of the scheme is positive. Victim satisfaction with the scheme is reportedly high and practitioners in the areas see benefit in rolling the scheme out more widely.
	Offenders questioned as part of the evaluation have also considered the scheme a success. The strategy for national rollout of Conditional Cautions is currently being planned, taking into consideration the evidence of the Early Implementation Areas. Initial rollout across one basic command unit per criminal justice area is expected to be completed within 18 months.

Custodial Sentences (Women)

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what offences custodial sentences were imposed on women in the last 12 months for which information is available.

Fiona Mactaggart: This information is provided in the latest Home Office sentencing statistics publication: Sentencing Statistics 2004, HOSB 15/05 England and Wales (Chapter two. Table 2.10, Number of persons sentenced to immediate custody by sex and offence group). This publication is available in the House Library.

DNA Profiles

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people under 18 years have DNA profiles stored in the police national database without having been charged or cautioned for any offence.

Hazel Blears: At the 31 October 2005 there were 3,466,792 subject sample profiles loaded to the National DNA Database. Of these 741,605 related to people who were under 18 at the time the sample was taken.
	We cannot currently determine how many of the people sampled were not subsequently charged or cautioned. Technical changes to the link between the Police National Computer and the National DNA Database to enable this information to be captured are under consideration by the Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO).

Electronic Monitoring Contract

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment has been made of the electronic monitoring contract; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: New contracts with two electronic monitoring service providers came into operation on one April 2005 covering England and Wales. Monthly auditing by Home Office officials indicates that the service providers' compliance with contractual obligations is generally satisfactory.
	The National Audit Office has been conducting a study of electronic monitoring in England and Wales this year, and its report is expected at about the end of the year.

Holding Cells (Medical Practitioners)

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what monitoring is carried out of the length of time taken by medical practitioners contracted to visit prisoners to arrive at the holding cells where the prisoner is awaiting police questioning;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the amount of police time spent awaiting medical practitioners contracted to visit prisoners in holding cells prior to questioning.

Hazel Blears: Monitoring the length of time taken by medical practitioners to visit detainees at a police station awaiting questioning is a local matter for the individual police force concerned. To help minimise the impact of any potential delay and to help improve the response times for accessing healthcare treatment, the Code of Practice on Detention, Treatment and Questioning of Persons by Police Officers (Code C) issued under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 was amended in April 2003 to allow the use of a healthcare professional. This means the ability to use a clinically qualified person working within the scope of practice as determined by their relevant professional body.
	Guidance was also issued at that time to chief officers to assist them in setting up local protocols to encourage partnership working with healthcare agencies.

Horses (Protective Headgear)

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) males and (b) females have been (i) charged with and (ii) convicted of offences under section 1 of the Horses (Protective Headgear for Young Riders) Act 1990 in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the operation of the Act.

Fiona Mactaggart: Statistics on the number of persons charged with a crime are not centrally collected.
	Data collected on the Home Office Court Proceedings database for offences under these sections of the Horses (Protective Headgear for Young Riders) Act 1990 form part of a miscellaneous group, which cannot be separately identified.

Hunting with Dogs

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been arrested for breaching the law banning hunting with dogs since it was introduced.

Hazel Blears: The Hunting Act 2004 came into force on 1 February 2005. The summary offences introduced under the Act are non-notifiable and as a result are not covered by the Home Office statistical collection on arrests for notifiable (recorded crime) offences.

Imitation Firearms

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents involving imitation firearms occurred in the Essex police force area in each of the last five years.

Hazel Blears: The available information is given in the tables.
	
		Table 1: Offences involving imitation firearms recorded by Essex police, 1999–2000 to 2001–02
		
			  Number of offences 
		
		
			 1999–2000 4 
			 2000–01 3 
			 2001–02(18) 11 
		
	
	(18)Figures for some crime categories may have been inflated by some police forces implementing the principles of the National Crime Recording Standard in advance of national implementation.
	
		Table 2: Offences involving imitation firearms recorded by Essex police, 2002–03 and 2003–04
		
			  Number of offences 
		
		
			 2002–03(19) 8 
			 2003–04 14 
		
	
	(19)The National Crime Recording Standard was introduced on 1 April 2002. Figures before and after this date are not directly comparable.

Independent Police Complaints Commission

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many complaints have been (a) made and (b) upheld against the Independent Police Complaints Commission since its inception; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many staff were employed at the Independent Police Complaints Commission on (a) 1 May and (b) 1 November; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  how many (a) management, (b) administrative and support staff and (c) investigative and casework staff at the Independent Police Complaints Commission are (i) temporary, (ii) casual and (iii) agency; what percentage of the total number of staff each category represents; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  how many permanent full-time equivalent staff (a) joined and (b) left the Independent Police Complaints Commission in each month since its inception; and if he will make a statement;
	(5)  what steps the Independent Police Complaints Commission has taken to ensure that future information requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 are responded to within the required 20 days; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is responsible for the management of the police complaints system. I will ensure that the Chairman receives copies of the questions and replies to you directly. Copies of the letters containing the IPCC's response will be placed in the House Libraries.

Independent Police Complaints Commission

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the number of non-recorded complaints against the police in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The non-recording of the complaints against the police is contained in the police complaints procedure for which the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) have responsibility in their role as the guardians of the police complaints system. Non-recording of complaints is a matter for the appropriate authority and the IPCC and is not a matter on which I should make an assessment.

National Criminal Justice Board

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the National Criminal Justice Board in providing direction for the criminal justice system.

Fiona Mactaggart: The National Criminal Justice Board (NCJB) provides effective, joint leadership for the Criminal Justice System. It has developed a vision and clear set of goals for Criminal Justice Reform and oversees delivery, primarily through the 42 local criminal justice boards. Under its leadership the Criminal Justice System is currently well on course to meet all its Public Service Agreement targets.

National Policing Improvement Agency

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the (a) funding, (b) staffing and (c) work of the National Policing Improvement Agency.

Hazel Blears: An Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO)-led Programme Team has been established to deliver the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA). Delivery of the programme is still in its early stages. The agency is scheduled to be fully operational from 1 April 2007 subject to legislation. Its purpose is to drive improvements in policing. I have yet to determine the exact staffing levels, but these will be considerably lower than the current functions it will replace. Similarly, I am considering the specific funding provision for the NPIA which will be within the current budgets of the existing organisations.

New Technology (Crime Prevention)

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list police forces which are carrying out pilots on (a) wireless technology to combat crime and (b) hand-held computing devices.

Hazel Blears: Information is not held centrally on all the initiatives conducted by individual forces on either wireless technology or hand-held computing devices. The Police Information Technology Organisation is currently working with four forces, and one as a reserve, on trialling the use of wireless technology and hand-held devices.

Non-reported Crime

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of non-reported crimes in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The British Crime Survey (BCS) collects information on whether victims report crimes to the police.
	Based on the 2004–05 BCS, 58 per cent. of comparable crimes had not been reported to the police. This figure is the same as that for BCS interviews in 2003–04. Comparable crimes are vandalism, domestic burglary, vehicle related theft, bicycle theft, theft from the person, robbery, common assault and wounding.
	Whether crimes are reported to the police varies considerably by type of offence. Thefts of vehicles are most likely to be reported (95 per cent.). Domestic burglaries in which something was stolen had the second highest reporting rate (77 per cent.). Reporting rates are relatively low for crimes such as common assault, theft from the person and vandalism (34 per cent., 32 per cent. and 32 per cent. in 2004–05).
	The majority of crimes that go unreported are relatively minor offences. The more serious offences in the comparable subset—wounding, robbery, theft of vehicles and burglary with loss—only accounted for 16 per cent. of incidents that were not reported in 2004–05).

O'Connor Report

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the definition is of proactive capability as used in the O'Connor Report published by HM Inspector of Constabulary in the context of policing protective services.

Hazel Blears: The Protective Services Review examined to what extent forces have the necessary capability (i.e. access to the specialist skills and assets) and capacity to deal with serious and organised crime, terrorism, major crimes and other significant events without impacting on other policing services.
	One of the key components was an assessment of the degree to which each force is practised and prepared for these types of incidents, its investment in seeking proactive intelligence, and the extent to which it is engaged in enforcement and preventative activity, such as murder suppression. As such, proactive capability cannot be defined in numerical terms, instead the litmus test is
	is a force able to do more than just react to incidents?"
	Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) concluded that many forces, but particularly the smaller ones, had low levels of readiness and were only able to react to these incidents as they occurred as opposed to predicting and preventing them. Additional work is now being carried out to determine what proportions of a force's strength might need to be dedicated to this sort of activity to provide an effective service, however this work is still in the early stages.

Philip Lawrence

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make inquiries into the reasons why the widow of Mr. Philip Lawrence was asked questions by the Probation Service regarding the possible release of the person convicted of his killing; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: It is not appropriate to discuss the details of an individual's contact with the National Probation Service, particularly where it would involve the disclosure of personal information. However, set out are details of the National Probation Service Victim Contact Scheme in operation across England and Wales.
	The National Probation Service has a statutory duty to operate a Victim Contact Scheme. The scheme operates for all victims where the offender has been sentenced to 12 months or more for a sexual or violent offence.
	The purpose of the scheme is to provide a point of contact with the probation service through which victims are able to express any concerns or anxieties about the offender and, if they wish, be kept informed about key stages in an offender's sentence.
	Victims are also offered the opportunity to express their views on the offender's conditions of release. The victim's views on licence conditions will usually be set out in a written report from the victim contact officer to those responsible for making decisions about an offender's release.
	Participation in the scheme is entirely voluntary and victims may choose to take up the offer of contact at any point during an offender's sentence. The probation service's work with victims is an important contribution to community safety and helps to address issues of risk to the public, as well as providing support to victims.

Police

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the proposed changes to the structure of North Yorkshire police force.

Hazel Blears: I wrote to all members on 9 November with an update on the progress of the police force structures review. This letter included a regional summary of options. The Home Secretary made a written ministerial statement with an overview of the national picture on 11 November. The review process is ongoing and the onus is on police forces and authorities to develop their proposals for submission to the Home Secretary on 23 December. Consultation is a vital part of the process and police forces and authorities are consulting with their local communities and stakeholders on their proposals.

Police

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the evidential basis was for the minimum force size of 4,000 officers or 6,000 personnel in the Closing the Gap efficiency criteria for strategic police forces.

Hazel Blears: Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary's (HMIC) report, Closing the Gap, found that forces with over 4,000 officers or 6,000 staff tended to meet the standard for protective services in that they demonstrated good reactive capability with a clear measure of proactive capacity. Protective services were assessed against national standards identified and agreed with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) on intelligence (what is known about an issue), prevention (what is being done to stop this) and enforcement/resolution (what ability is there to intervene effectively).

Police

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on the routine arming of police officers; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Government believe that police officers should not generally be armed. The fact that officers are not routinely armed gives a character to our policing that we should not readily give up. Where an operational need arises specialist armed officers should be available to be deployed. The use of firearms by the police should always be as a last resort.

Police

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police forces have diving units; how many divers each force has; when (a) diving suits and (b) equipment was last replaced in each unit; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: Data are provided in the following tables and has only been provided for forces with figures. Figures are provided for officers and staff whose main function is recorded as 'Underwater-Operational'. This includes members predominantly employed in anUnderwater Search Unit, but not including those employed in Marine Units.
	Figures for members predominantly employed in Marine or boat patrol are given separately. It should be noted while this function may include diving, it is not possible to specify how many of these officers are employed specifically in diving.
	Figures regarding diving equipment are not collected centrally.
	
		Police officers and police staff whose main function is 'Underwater-Operational'(20), by force, as at 31 March 2005
		
			  Full-time equivalent 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 8 
			 Cumbria 2 
			 Greater Manchester 2 
			 Humberside 1 
			 Lancashire 2 
			 Merseyside 2 
			 Metropolitan Police 8 
			 North Yorkshire 6 
			 Nottinghamshire 3 
			 South Wales 8 
			 Sussex 8 
			 Thames Valley 8 
			 West Yorkshire 11 
		
	
	(20)Staff with multiple responsibilities (or designations) are recorded under their primary role or function. The deployment of police officers is an operational matter for individual Chief Constables.
	'Underwater-Operational'—includes staff who are predominantly employed in an Underwater Search Unit but not including officers employed in Marine Units.
	
		Police officers and police staff whose main function is 'Marine-Operational, Operational Support or Organisational Support'(21), by force, as at 31 March 2005
		
			  Full-time equivalent 
		
		
			 Dorset 7 
			 Dyfed-Powys 4 
			 Essex 12 
			 Hampshire 9 
			 Kent 6 
			 Metropolitan Police 66 
			 Northumbria 21 
		
	
	(21)Staff with multiple responsibilities (or designations) are recorded under their primary role or function. The deployment of police officers is an operational matter for individual Chief Constables.
	'Marine-Operational'—includes staff who predominantly conduct marine or boat patrol including supervisors.
	'Marine-Operational Support'—includes staff who predominantly perform support function within Marine Sections/Units.
	'Marine-Organisational Support'—includes staff who predominantly perform support functions within Marine Sections.

Police

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce the number of fatalities caused by police cars.

Hazel Blears: Both the Government and the police recognise that effective police pursuit of offenders, response to emergencies and conduct of other business, must take full account of the risk to the public. The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) launched in 2004 new Guidance for the Management of Police Pursuits to help achieve this. There is continuing work to ensure that the correct training is provided, that there are adequate management controls, and that robust risk assessments are in place to ensure that safety is maintained at all times. Operational measures also exist to avoid pursuits or curtail them.
	We are co-operating fully with the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which announced on 17 July a review of road traffic incidents involving police vehicles that result in a fatality or serious injury. The review, which is due to report its findings by November 2006, will aim to identify any lessons that can be learned for police policy and operational practice.

Police

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list police authorities in England and Wales which the North Wales police paid for using their officers in the last three years for which figures are available; and how much North Wales police paid to each authority in each year.

Hazel Blears: North Wales police inform me that payments to police authorities for the provision of mutual aid have been made as set out in the following table:
	
		North Wales police: mutual aid payments 2002–03 to 2004–05
		
			  Authority Amount (£) 
		
		
			 2002–03 Merseyside 816 
			 2003–04 Merseyside 21,459 
			  West Mercia 16,478 
			  Dyfed Powys 825 
			 2004–05 — Nil

Police

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the functions of the Police Bureaucracy Adviser are; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The National Bureaucracy Adviser provides practical assistance to forces in the timely and effective implementation of their work on reducing bureaucratic burdens on police officers in order to increase the capacity of officers to undertake frontline duties. This includes visiting forces to spread good practice; challenge, where necessary, existing practices; and drive force-led reductions in bureaucracy.

Police

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the extent to which the level of formula grant will need to be adjusted as a result of the proposed police officer pension funding changes from April 2006; and what representations he has received from police authorities on this issue.

Hazel Blears: From 2006–07 a specific pension grant will be created and used to 'top up' any deficits on the pension accounts of police authorities in England and Wales. In the first two years of the new system of financing, this central pension budget will be funded by a reduction in police grant based on the sum of each authority's estimate of its net pension requirement after accounting for income from employees and employers contributions.
	The transfers in 2006–07 and 2007–08 from general grant will be £313 million and £328 million respectively. The change in financing of police pensions will have no net impact on the level of funding made available to the police in England and Wales.
	Representations from the police have been fully taken into account in determining this process.

Prisoners

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people leaving prison entered employment, education or training through the Custody to Work initiative in the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: Information on the numbers of prisoners leaving custody in 2004–05 and entering employment, training or education (ETE) is as follows. The outcomes include those who attended FRESHSTART appointments at Jobcentre Plus, whereby prisoners who do not have a job or training place to go to on release are linked into employment, training and benefits advice and support immediately after release.
	In recording outcomes there is no differentiation made between those attained through the Custody to Work initiative or any other.
	
		
			  2004–05 
		
		
			 Discharges 85,685 
			 Info Recorded 83,991 
			 ETE outcomes (inc FRESHSTART) 41,146 
			 ETE outcomes (inc FRESHSTART) as percentage  of total discharges 48

Prisoners

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many prisoners have left prison in each of the last eight years; and how many leftprison without accommodation;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the number of prisoners leaving prison without accommodation;
	(3)  what steps he is taking to strengthen data collection on prisoners' accommodation status on leaving prison; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Prison Service Accommodation Key Performance Indicator has been in place since 2003. The number of prisoners discharged from custody, and the number of those without accommodation to go to are given in the table.
	The level of recording has increased from 76 per cent. in 2003–04 to 95 per cent. in 2005–06 year-to-date. The Prison Service Custody to Work co-ordinators continue to work with establishments to ensure that accurate data is entered onto the Local Inmate Data System (LIDS).
	
		
			   Discharged Discharged without accommodation 
		
		
			 2003–04 87,449 39,764 
			 2004–05 85,685 18,797 
			 2005–06 (Year to Date) 50,004 6,435

Prisoners

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners received special family visits in each of the last three years.

Fiona Mactaggart: There are no collated figures available on the number of prisoners receiving special family visits. Such visits, which can vary in kind, are organised by individual prisons taking account of local needs.

Prisoners

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made towards the introduction of targets for prisons in the area of family ties; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: There is an existing Prison Performance Standard on Family Life which contains key baselines against which prisons are audited. There are no current plans to introduce targets.

Prisoners

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the costs per minute to prisoners are of calls from prison to (a) local, (b) national, (c) international and (d) mobile lines.

Fiona Mactaggart: The rate for national and local calls within the UK is identical at 11p per minute (10pminimum charge for 55 seconds plus 1p for each 5.5 seconds or part thereof).
	Calls to Mobiles within the UK are charged at the following rates:
	
		
			  Pence 
		
		
			 Monday to Friday 08.01–18.00 63.0 
			 Monday to Thursday 18.01–08.00 37.5 
			 Friday 18.01–24.00 37.5 
			 00.01 Saturday to 24.00 Sunday 19.0 
		
	
	International calls are charged at the rates in the following table:
	
		All charges are per minute @ £0.00
		
			 Country BT charge band BT price 
		
		
			 Afghanistan 13 3.00 
			 Albania 3 1.00 
			 Algeria 3 1.00 
			 Andorra 1 0.75 
			 Angola 13 3.00 
			 Anguilla 5 1.20 
			 Antarctica Aus Try 13 3.00 
			 Antigua and Barbuda 5 1.20 
			 Antilles (Dutch) 8 2.00 
			 Argentina 10 2.40 
			 Armenia 8 2.00 
			 Aruba 8 2.00 
			 Ascension Island 13 3.00 
			 Australia 6 1.00 
			 Austria 2 0.75 
			 Azerbaijan Republic a8 2.40 
			 Azores 1 0.75 
			 Bahamas 5 1.20 
			 Bahrain 8 2.00 
			 Bangladesh 12 2.00 
			 Barbados 5 1.20 
			 Belarus a8 2.40 
			 Belgium a1 0.66 
			 Belize 8 2.00 
			 Benin 10 2.40 
			 Bermuda 5 1.20 
			 Bhutan 14 3.00 
			 Bolivia 13 3.00 
			 Bosnia Herzegovina 3 1.00 
			 Botswana 10 2.40 
			 Brazil 10 2.40 
			 Brunei Darussalam 14 3.00 
			 Bulgaria 3 1.00 
			 Burkina Faso 13 3.00 
			 Burundi 13 3.00 
			 Cambodia 17 3.00 
			 Cameroon 10 2.40 
			 Canada 4 0.75 
			 Canary Islands 1 0.75 
			 Cape Verde 13 3.00 
			 Cayman Islands 5 1.20 
			 Cent African Rep 13 3.00 
			 Chad 13 3.00 
			 Chatham Island 6 1.00 
			 Chile 10 2.40 
			 China 14 3.00 
			 Christmas Island 6 1.00 
			 Cocos Islands 6 1.00 
			 Colombia 13 3.00 
			 Comoros 10 2.40 
			 Congo 13 3.00 
			 Cook Islands 13 3.00 
			 Costa Rica 10 2.40 
			 Cote d'Ivoire 10 2.40 
			 Croatia 3 1.00 
			 Cuba 13 3.00 
			 Cyprus 2 0.75 
			 Czech republic 2 0.75 
			 Denmark a1 0.66 
			 Diego Garcia 13 3.00 
			 Djibouti 13 3.00 
			 Dominica 5 1.20 
			 Dominican Republic 5 1.20 
			 East Timor 17 3.00 
			 Ecuador 13 3.00 
			 Egypt 9 2.40 
			 El Salvador 10 2.40 
			 Equatorial Guinea 13 3.00 
			 Eritrea 10 2.40 
			 Estonia a8 2.40 
			 Ethiopia 10 2.40 
			 Falkland Islands 13 3.00 
			 Faroe Islands 1 0.75 
			 Fiji 13 3.00 
			 Finland 2 0.75 
			 France a1 0.66 
			 French Guiana 13 3.00 
			 French Polynesia 13 3.00 
			 Gabon 10 2.40 
			 Gambia 10 2.40 
			 Georgia 8 2.00 
			 Germany a1 0.66 
			 Ghana 10 2.40 
			 Gibraltar 1 0.75 
			 Greece 1 0.75 
			 Greenland 13 3.00 
			 Grenada 5 1.20 
			 Guadeloupe 8 2.00 
			 Guam 13 3.00 
			 Guatemala 10 2.40 
			 Guinea 13 3.00 
			 Guinea Bissau 13 3.00 
			 Guyana 8 2.00 
			 Haiti 8 2.00 
			 Honduras 10 2.40 
			 Hong Kong 7 1.00 
			 Hungary 2 0.75 
			 Iceland 3 1.00 
			 India 16 2.00 
			 Indonesia 14 3.00 
			 Iran 10 2.40 
			 Iraq 10 2.40 
			 Ireland (Republic of) IR 0.66 
			 Israel a8 2.40 
			 Italy (+ Vatican City) 1 0.75 
			 Jamaica 5 1.20 
			 Japan 1 1.50 
			 Jordan 9 2.40 
			 Kazakhstan a8 2.40 
			 Kenya 10 2.40 
			 Kiribati 13 3.00 
			 Korea (North) 13 3.00 
			 Korea (South) 14 3.00 
			 Kuwait 8 2.00 
			 Kyrgyz Republic a8 2.40 
			 Laos 13 3.00 
			 Latvia a8 2.40 
			 Lebanon 9 2.40 
			 Lesotho 10 2.40 
			 Liberia 10 2.40 
			 Libya 3 1.00 
			 Liechtenstein a1 0.66 
			 Lithuania a8 2.40 
			 Luxembourg a1 0.66 
			 Macao 14 3.00 
			 Macedonia 3 1.00 
			 Madagascar 13 3.00 
			 Madeira 1 0.75 
			 Malawi 10 2.40 
			 Malaysia 11 1.50 
			 Maldives 13 3.00 
			 Mali 13 3.00 
			 Malta 2 0.75 
			 Marshall Island 13 3.00 
			 Martinique 8 2.00 
			 Mauritania 13 3.00 
			 Mauritius 10 2.40 
			 Mayotte 10 2.40 
			 Mexico 14 3.00 
			 Micronesia 13 3.00 
			 Midway Island 17 3.00 
			 Moldova 8 2.00 
			 Monaco 1 0.75 
			 Mongolia 13 3.00 
			 Montserrat 5 1.20 
			 Morocco 3 1.00 
			 Mozambique 13 3.00 
			 Myanmar 13 3.00 
			 Namibia 10 2.40 
			 Nauru 13 3.00 
			 Nepal 14 3.00 
			 Netherlands a1 0.66 
			 New Caledonia 13 3.00 
			 New Zealand 6 1.00 
			 Nicaragua 10 2.40 
			 Niger 13 3.00 
			 Nigeria 15 2.40 
			 Niue 13 3.00 
			 Norfolk Island 13 3.00 
			 Northern Marianas 13 3.00 
			 Norway 2 0.75 
			 Oman 8 2.00 
			 Pakistan 12 2.00 
			 Palau 13 3.00 
			 Panama 10 2.40 
			 Papua New Guinea 13 3.00 
			 Paraguay 10 2.40 
			 Peru 10 2.40 
			 Philippines 14 3.00 
			 Pitcairn Islands 13 3.00 
			 Poland 2 0.75 
			 Portugal 1 0.75 
			 Puerto Rico 5 1.20 
			 Qatar 8 2.00 
			 Reunion 13 3.00 
			 Rodriguez Islands 10 2.40 
			 Romania a8 2.40 
			 Russia a8 2.40 
			 Rwandese Republic 13 3.00 
			 Samoa (US) 13 3.00 
			 Samoa (Western) 13 3.00 
			 San Marino 1 0.75 
			 S Tome and Principe 13 3.00 
			 Saudi Arabia 8 2.00 
			 Senegal 10 2.40 
			 Seychelles 10 2.40 
			 Sierra Leone 10 2.40 
			 Singapore 7 1.00 
			 Slovak Republic 2 0.75 
			 Slovakia 3 1.00 
			 Slovenia 3 1.00 
			 Solomon Islands 13 3.00 
			 Somalia 10 2.40 
			 South Africa a8 2.40 
			 Spain 1 0.75 
			 Sri Lanka 12 2.00 
			 St. Helena 13 3.00 
			 St. Kitts and Nevis 5 1.20 
			 St. Lucia 5 1.20 
			 St. Pierre and Miquelon 5 1.20 
			 St. Vincent and the Grenadines 5 1.20 
			 Sudan 10 2.40 
			 Suriname 10 2.40 
			 Swaziland 10 2.40 
			 Sweden a1 0.66 
			 Switzerland a1 0.66 
			 Syria 9 2.40 
			 Taiwan 14 3.00 
			 Tajikistan a8 2.40 
			 Tanzania 10 2.40 
			 Thailand 14 3.00 
			 Togolese 10 2.40 
			 Tokelau 13 3.00 
			 Tonga 13 3.00 
			 Trinidad and Tobago 5 1.20 
			 Tristan Da Cunha 13 3.00 
			 Tunisia 3 1.00 
			 Turkey 3 1.00 
			 Turkmenistan a8 2.40 
			 Turks and Caicos Islands 5 1.20 
			 Tuvalu 13 3.00 
			 US Virgin Islands 5 1.20 
			 US Virgin Islands 5 1.20 
			 Uganda 10 2.40 
			 Ukraine a8 2.40 
			 United Arab Emirates 8 2.00 
			 Uruguay 10 2.40 
			 USA 4 0.75 
			 Uzbekistan a8 2.40 
			 Vanuatu 13 3.00 
			 Vatican City (Italy) 1 0.75 
			 Venezuela 10 2.40 
			 Vietnam 13 3.00 
			 Wake Island 17 3.00 
			 Wallis and Futuna 17 3.00 
			 Yemen 10 2.40 
			 Zaire 13 3.00 
			 Zambia 10 2.40 
			 Zimbabwe 10 2.40

Prisoners

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many girls under the age of 18 years in prison in England and Wales are reported (a) to suffer from mental problems and (b) to self-harm.

Fiona Mactaggart: The information available about the prevalence of mental health problems for girls and young women is recorded in the Office for National Statistics Survey Psychiatric Morbidity among Young Offenders in England and Wales." A copy is in the Library. The following table shows the number of reported incidents of self-harm involving female juveniles (those aged 15 to 17 inclusive) in 2003, 2004 and in 2005 to July.
	
		Female juveniles
		
			  Number of incidents Number of Individuals(23) 
		
		
			 2003 462 67 
			 2004 585 73 
			 2005(22) 469 56 
		
	
	(22)January to July 2005 only.
	(23)Based on the 90 per cent. of recorded incidents where the individual is identifiable.

Prisons

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons have a policy on (a) HIV/AIDS and (b) hepatitis C; and what percentage of the total number of prisons this represents.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Health Services for Prisoners Standard of May 2004 requires all establishments to have effective arrangements for the prevention, control and management of communicable diseases. We will be considering findings of the Prison Reform Trust and the National AIDS Trust just published work on HIV and Hepatitis in UK Prisons: addressing prisoners' healthcare needs" in due course.

Prisons

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the incidence of hepatitis C among (a) male and (b) female prisoners.

Fiona Mactaggart: Information about the number of prisoners with hepatitis C is not collected centrally. The then Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) undertook an unlinked, anonymous survey of the prevalence of blood borne viruses among prisoners in England in 1997–98. This indicated that 9 per cent. of adult men, 11 per cent. of women and 0.6 per cent. of male young offenders had evidence of previous exposure to hepatitis C.

Prisons

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are being taken to encourage prisons without a policy on (a) HIV/AIDS and (b) hepatitis C to adopt one; and what assessment he has made of the merits of giving prisoners access to free (i) condoms and (ii) needles.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Health Services for Prisoners Standard of May 2004 requires all establishments to have effective arrangements for the prevention, control and management of communicable diseases. We will be considering findings of the Prison Reform Trust and the National AIDS Trust just published work on HIV and Hepatitis in UK Prisons: addressing prisoners' healthcare needs" in due course.
	Prison doctors were advised in 1995 that they should make condoms available to individual prisoners, on application, if in their clinical judgment, there is a risk of transmission of HIV infection during sexual activity.
	The Prison Service is planning to issue, in early 2006, revised guidance and instructions which aim to clarify the policy on condoms so that it can be applied more evenly across the prison estate.
	The Prison Service has no present plans to introduce a needle exchange scheme. It continues to monitor developments in the field both at home and abroad, including existing practice in the community here, policy and practice in custodial settings abroad and the effectiveness of needle exchange schemes over other harm minimisation measures.

Schedule 1 Offenders

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Schedule 1 offenders in the community have received or are receiving treatment under sex offender treatment programmes.

Paul Goggins: The majority of sex offender treatment programmes in the community are run by the National Probation Service. Accredited sex offender treatment programmes began to be implemented in 2001 and by October 2003 all Probation Areas were running an accredited programme. By 2005 1,100 individuals had completed treatment, and at any one time an estimated 1,800 sex offenders will be attending treatment programmes on a weekly basis.

Schedule 1 Offenders

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the (a) average length and (b) variance has been in 2005 of (i) the time between release from prison of Schedule 1 offenders and their embarkation on a sex offenders treatment programme and (ii) the duration of such a sex offender's treatment programme.

Fiona Mactaggart: The information requested on average length and variance between release and start of treatment is not collected centrally. Offenders who are subject to licence conditions to address their offending behaviour are required to commence work as soon as possible. However, for sex offenders there is often a period of preparatory work and assessment, before commencement on a treatment programme is possible.
	The duration of sex offender treatment programmes in the community is between 12 months and two years depending on risk and treatment need identified.

Terrorism

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the requests for an extension of the maximum pre-charge detention period for suspected terrorists by the Security Services, referred to by the Prime Minister on 5 August and by the Minister of State for Crime, Security and Communities on 12 October.

Hazel Blears: The Government's position on the maximum pre-charge detention period in terrorism cases, having assessed all the evidence, was set out in the Terrorism Bill. As my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary, made clear at Third Reading of that Bill on 10 November 2005, Official Report, column 493, the Government accepts the decision of the House of Commons in this matter.

Terrorism

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about allowing the questioning of suspected terrorists after charge.

Hazel Blears: The issue was raised during the passage of the Terrorism Bill through the House of Commons. Beyond that, we have received no representations on this subject.

Victim Support

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding is to be allocated to Victim Support in each of the next three years; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: The grant in aid to Victim Support in 2005–06 is £30 million. Funding for 2006–07 and 2007–08 will be announced in due course.

Young Offenders

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children were put into bed and breakfast accommodation on release from custody in (a) 2004 and (b) 2005 to date.

Fiona Mactaggart: The information is not collected in the form requested. Figures collected by the Youth Justice Board show that in 2004, and in the first nine months of 2005, 86 per cent. of young people who left custody went to satisfactory accommodation. (Bed and breakfast accommodation is not considered satisfactory.) The figures are set out in the following table:
	
		Accommodation of young people leaving custody
		
			  Young people subject to a custodial sentence transferred to the community  Assessed as living in satisfactory accommodation 
		
		
			 2004 5,269 4,520 
			 2005(24) 3,902 3,351 
		
	
	(24)January to September.

Youth Offending Teams

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the national performance targets are for youth offending teams; and what the performance of Torbay Youth Offending Team has been against those targets.

Fiona Mactaggart: The following table shows performance against Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for Torbay Youth Offending Team and the outturn for England and Wales for the period April 2004 to March 2005:
	
		Torbay: Performance
		
			  April 2004 to March 2005 
			 Key performance indicator Torbay YOT outturn England and Wales outturn 
		
		
			 Prevention(25)(Number) 247 24,411 
			
			 Recidivism(26)(Percentage) 50.8 46.9 
			
			 Final warnings (Percentage) 92.8 85.3 
			 Use of custody (Percentage)   
			 Use of custodial remands (Percentage) 35.3 44.4 
			 Use of custodial disposals (Percentage) 0.8 6.2 
			
			 RJ and victim satisfaction (Percentage)   
			 Use of restorative processes (Percentage) 90.6 81.8 
			 Victim satisfaction (Percentage) 97.6 96.8 
			   
			 Parenting (Percentage)   
			 Parental Intervention (Percentage) 18.7 11.7 
			 Parental Satisfaction (Percentage) 93.3 97.6 
			
			 ASSET (Percentage)   
			 Community Asset Start (Percentage) 100 94.7 
			 Community Asset End (Percentage) 100 95.8 
			 Custodial Asset Start (Percentage) 100 97.9 
			 Custodial Asset Middle (Percentage) 100 98.0 
			 Custodial Asset End (Percentage) 100 97.6 
			
			 Pre Sentence Reports (Percentage) 100 88.6 
			
			 DTO Training Plans (Percentage) 100 82.1 
			
			 Education, Training and Employment  (Percentage) 81.7 74.2 
			
			 Accommodation (Percentage) 99.0 93.6 
			
			 CAMHS (Percentage)   
			 Acute Mental Health (Percentage) (27)n/a 85.3 
			 Non Acute Mental Health (Percentage) 100 90.4 
			
			 Substance Misuse (Percentage)   
			 Substance Misuse Assessment (within five  days) (Percentage) 77.8 73.5 
			 Substance Misuse Treatment (within 10 days)  (Percentage) 98.4 92.2 
		
	
	(25)Measured as a figure rather than as a percentage. As the target was 200, this has been met by Torbay.
	(26)Recidivism rate of the 2002 cohort after 24 months.
	(27)Torbay had no acute mental health referrals in the period so there is no data for this KPI.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Access to Learning

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people have started work-based learning in each year since 2000, broken down by programme.

Phil Hope: Full year figures for the numbers startingwork-based learning (WBL) broken down by programme are published annually in a Statistical First Release (SFR) produced by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) in consultation with Department for Education and Skills (DfES) statisticians.
	The most recent version, entitled 'Further Education, Work Based Learning for Young People and Adult and Community Learning—Learner Numbers in England 2003/04', was published on 14 December 2004. Table 5 contains figures for WBL starts broken down by programme for every year between 2000/01 and 2003/04. The SFR can be downloaded from both the DfES and LSC websites:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000546/index.shtml
	http://www.lsc.gov.uk/National/Partners/Data/Statistics/LearnerStatistics/StatisticalFirst
	Releases/StatisticalFirstRelease200304.htm
	Revised and updated figures for 2004/05 are due to be published on 8 December 2005.

A-level Grades

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what proportion of candidates attending (a) non-maintained schools, (b) grammar schools, (c) comprehensive schools and (d) further education colleges received (i) A and (ii) B grades at A-level in (A) chemistry, (B) physics, (C) mathematics, (D) French and (E) German in 2005.

Jacqui Smith: The data requested on GCE A Level results of 16 to 18 1 -year-old students in 2005 (provisional data) can be found in the following table.
	1 Ages are taken at the start of the academic year i.e. 31 August.
	
		
			   Comprehensive(28) Selective Independent FE Sector 
		
		
			 Number of students attaining  
			 Chemistry A grade 2,574 1,859 3,843 1,607 
			  B grade 3,146 1,206 2,049 1,862 
			 Physics A grade 1,962 1,297 2,575 1,074 
			  B grade 1,968 798 1,315 1,046 
			 Maths A grade 5,821 2,895 6,603 3,365 
			  B grade 4,385 1,345 2,326 2,760 
			 French A grade 951 570 1,804 573 
			  B grade 1,128 518 1,064 613 
			 German A grade 455 283 812 280 
			  B grade 498 230 320 269 
			   
			 As a percentage of students attempting subject  
			 Chemistry A grade 19.7 40.7 47.9 21.6 
			  B grade 24.0 26.4 25.5 25.0 
			 Physics A grade 18.9 38.6 46.8 22.3 
			  B grade 19.0 23.8 23.9 21.7 
			 Maths A grade 31.4 51.0 62.6 30.0 
			  B grade 23.6 23.7 22.1 24.6 
			 French A grade 22.5 35.9 47.4 24.6 
			  B grade 26.7 32.6 28.0 26.4 
			 German A grade 22.4 36.5 57.6 27.5 
			  B grade 24.5 29.7 22.7 26.4 
		
	
	(28)Comprehensives include City Technology Colleges and Academies.

Apprenticeships

Anthony D Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many Government-funded apprentices there were in (a) Great Yarmouth and (b) Norfolk in each year since 1996–97.

Phil Hope: Figures for those participating in apprenticeships funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) derive from the individual learner record (ILR). This was collated for the first time in 2001/02 (as an interim ILR) and comparable figures are only available for the three years from then. National figuresfor 2004/05 are scheduled for publication on 8 December 2005.
	The following table shows the average number in learning 1 for Government-funded apprentices whose home address is in the parliamentary constituency of Great Yarmouth and the local LSC area of Norfolk for each year 2001/02 to 2003/04.
	1 Learner numbers for apprenticeships are monitored monthly. The monthly total changes due to new starts and completions; the number presented is the average number of learners from August to July.
	
		
			  2001/02 2002/03(29) 2002/03(30) 2003/04 
		
		
			 Great Yarmouth 
			 Advanced apprenticeship 172 171 170 140 
			 Apprenticeship at level 2 228 232 249 274 
			 Total 400 403 419 414 
			  
			 Norfolk 
			 Advanced apprenticeship 1,427 1,358 1,377 1,330 
			 Apprenticeship at level 2 1,758 1,928 2,040 2,242 
			 Total 3,185 3,286 3,417 3,572 
		
	
	(29)Old methodology, consistent with 2001/02 figures.
	(30)New, consistent with 2003/04 figures.

Basic Skills Agency

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 16 November 2005, Official Report, column 1280W, on the Basic Skills Agency, what steps she is taking to promote the Basic Skills Agency Quality Mark in schools.

Jacqui Smith: The main responsibility for promoting the Quality Mark to schools rests with the Basic Skills Agency's partner local authorities. Most local authorities (LAs) make the link between the Quality Mark and the school improvement agenda and self evaluation requirements. Some LAs use working for the Quality Mark award as part of the exit strategy from a period of additional support provided through the Primary National Strategy Leadership Programme or Intensifying Support Project. Local authorities also advertise the award through their own networks and communications with schools, including head teacher meetings and governor conferences. Many authorities also ensure that all their advisers are aware of the Quality Mark award and can suggest it to schools that they think will benefit when they are on school visits.The Agency publishes termly in The Times Educational Supplement" the names of the schools who have gained the award and also produces print and website information about the Quality Mark.

Bournemouth Schools

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools in Bournemouth local education authority stayed within budget in the 2004–05 financial year.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is contained within the following table:
	
		
			  Total 
		
		
			 Number of local authority maintained schools reported on section 52 outturn during FY 2004–05(31) 40 
			   
			 Number of schools within their revenue budget for 2004–05(32)(5508460033) 26 
			   
			 Number of schools over their revenue budget for 2004–05(32)(5508460033) 14 
		
	
	(31)Included in the above table are all local authority maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools reported by Bournemouth local authority on their 2004–05 section 52 outturn statement (table B). The data are still being validated by the Department and they are likely to change.
	(32)For the purposes of this table, a school is defined as operating within its revenue budget during 2004–05 if its revenue expenditure for the year does not exceed its revenue income.
	(33)Of the 26 schools who were under budget for 2004–05:
	2 (both primary schools) started the year with a deficit revenue balance and remained in deficit at the end of the year;
	2 (1 primary and 1 secondary school) went from having a deficit revenue balance at the start of the year to being in surplus at the end of the year;
	21 (15 primary, 5 secondary and 1 special school) started the year with a surplus revenue balance and ended the year further in surplus;
	1 (secondary school) started the year with no revenue balance and ended the year in surplus.
	(34)Of the 14 schools who were over budget for 2004–05:
	9 (8 primary and 1 special school) had sufficient surplus revenue balances at the start of the year that they still remained in surplus at the end of the year;
	1 (primary school) went from having a surplus revenue balance at the start of the year to being in deficit at the end of the year;
	4 (all secondary schools) started the year with a deficit revenue balance and ended the year further in deficit.

Bullying

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much has been spent on anti-bullying initiatives in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each year since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr.Davey) on 14 November 2005, Official Report, columns 928–29W, which sets out this information.
	We do not hold figures which separate primary and secondary school funding information.

Child Care

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of people are eligible to use registered childcare paid for by pre-tax salary under the nursery/childcare vouchers scheme.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	If an employer offers employer supported childcare or childcare vouchers, an employee is entitled to the first £50 a week tax and NIC free, so long as all the conditions are met. Employers can provide this help to their employees either on top or instead of salary.
	We do not have information about the percentage of employees that have taken advantage of the exemptions.

Departmental Expenditure

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what financial support her Department provides for (a) the University for Industry, (b) learndirect centres and (c) learndirect hubs; what role her Department (i) has and (ii) had in the governance and establishment of each; and what policy her Department has adopted in relation to the legal status of each.

Phil Hope: The latest year for which the figures are available is 2004/05. Of the £218 million provided to Ufi in 2004/05, £107.2 million went to learndirect centres and £27.8 million went to hubs. Since August 2004, the Department has given the Learning and Skills Council responsibility for funding Ufi's infrastructure and learndirect provision in England. Each year the LSC and Ufi reach agreement on the targets to be achieved, the funding to be paid, the methodology for use of the funds and the values which Ufi will use for the funding it passes to hub operators and learndirect centres.
	On governance, in 1999, the Department established a company structure which Ufi then cleared with the Charity Commissioners. This led to the setting up of Ufi Charitable Trust (a company limited by guarantee registered as a charity) and Ufi Ltd. (a trading subsidiary, limited by shares wholly owned by the parent company). The Department and Ufi agreed the hub and centre structure for the delivery of learndirect learning as this was considered the appropriate structure at that time for ensuring that learndirect provision was responsive to local and regional skills need. The hubs and learning centres are a mix of private companies and other organisations.

Education White Paper

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she proposes to create the capital fund referred to in paragraph 2.35 of the Education White Paper, Higher Standards, Better Schools for all.

Jacqui Smith: Further information about the operation of the fund will be announced in due course.

Examination Results

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many 16 to 19-year-lds achieved five A*-C passes or the equivalent in 2004.

Jacqui Smith: The following table shows numbers and proportions of 16 to 19-year-olds qualified to at least Level 2 (equivalent to five A*-C GCSEs) by the end of 2003/04.
	
		Attained L2+ by end 2003/04
		
			 Age in 2004 Number(35) Proportion (percentage) 
		
		
			 16 345,800 53.7 
			 17 387,800 61.4 
			 18 406,500 65.7 
			 19 411,700 67.0 
		
	
	(35)Rounded to nearest 100.

Examination Results

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  which GCSEs count as qualifications in (a) literacy and (b) numeracy;
	(2)  what percentage of (a) 15 and (b) 16 to 19-year-olds achieved a Level 2 qualification in literacy and numeracy in 2004.

Jacqui Smith: The answer to this question is based on the approach taken during this year's Achievement and Attainment Tables English and maths pilot.
	For the 2005 Achievement and Attainment Tables pilot the following rules have been applied:
	For the English and maths indicators, to demonstrate achievement in GCSE maths, any maths GCSE qualification will be recognised. To demonstrate achievement in GCSE English, any English GCSE qualification will be recognised, except English Literature.
	
		Results in all educational establishments by the end of 2003/04(36)
		
			  Number of 15-year-old pupils(37) achieving Percentage of 15-year-old pupils(37) achieving Number of 16 to 19-year-olds(38) achieving 
		
		
			 GCSE English A* to C or level 2 functional English(39) 359,323 55.8 9,257 
			 Of which:
			 Level 2 English GCSE 359,250 55.8 9,039 
			 Of which:
			 Level 2 functional English 73 0.0 218 
			 
			 GCSE maths A* to C or Level 2 functional mathematics(40) 318,908 49.6 10,705 
			 Of which:
			 Level 2 mathematics GCSE 318,874 49.5 10,623 
			 Of which:
			 Level 2 functional mathematics 34 0.0 82 
		
	
	(36)Includes achievements in previous academic years for 15-year-old pupils and achievements in 2003/04 only for 16 to 19-year-olds. Includes schools for 15-year-old pupils and schools and colleges for 16 to 19-year-olds.
	(37)Age at start of academic year i.e. 31st August.
	(38)16 to 19-year-olds achieving as a percentage of all 16 to 19-year-olds cannot be provided, as we only have information on those in that age range who attempted a qualification.
	(39)To demonstrate functional English through Key Skills and Basic Skills, only Key Skills qualifications in communication and Basic Skills qualifications in literacy are recognised.
	(40)To demonstrate functional mathematics through Key Skills and Basic Skills, only Key Skills qualifications in application of number and Basic Skills qualifications in numeracy are recognised.

Examination Standards

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action she is taking to ensure maintenance of standards in (a) GCSE and (b) A level examinations.

Jacqui Smith: The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) is the body with statutory responsibility for ensuring that the standards of GCSE and A level qualifications are maintained over time. QCA has a rolling programme of standards reviews, which began in 1997. The reports are available on the QCA website. This includes the report of the Independent Committee on Examination Standards chaired by Barry McGaw, Dec04, which found that no examination system at the school or other level is so tightly or carefully managed.

Failing Schools

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what new powers will be required by local education authorities to enable them to intervene in failing schools in the manner envisaged in the Schools White Paper.

Jacqui Smith: Local authorities already have a range of powers to enable them to intervene when a school is judged by Ofsted to be failing. These include appointing additional governors, appointing an interim executive board and removing the school's delegated budget. We intend to create an addition power to enable local authorities to force a weak school to join a federation with a stronger school. We also intend to strengthen local authorities' existing powers to issue warning notices to schools that are badly under-performing, but which have not yet failed an inspection—we want local authorities to intervene early to ensure a school's weaknesses are addressed at an earlier stage to prevent formal school failure. If a school failed satisfactorily to comply with the warning notice, the local authority would be able to use the powers of intervention described above.
	We are also proposing a new duty on local authorities to consider radical options to secure school improvement at an early stage; and to reconsider action if the school fails to make adequate progress. We have already reduced the numbers of schools in special measures by over half since 1998, and significantly reduced the average time a school spends in special measures. We now need to ensure local authorities take swifter and more decisive action to address school failure so that all children can achieve their full potential.

Falling School Rolls

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment the Department has made of the effects of falling school rolls in (a) England and (b) Cheltenham constituency; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The Department's national forecasts indicate that primary school rolls will fall by 129,000 between 2004/05 and 2007/08 with secondary rolls falling by 133,000 between 2004/05 and 2007/08.
	Local authority forecast data is at authority level and we do not have forecasts for the Cheltenham constituency. Gloucestershire local authority's 2004 forecasts indicate that primary rolls will increase by 964 between 2004/05 and 2007/08 and secondary rolls will increase by 2,212 between 2004/05 and 2010/11.
	We have developed a toolkit offering practical advice to help local authorities manage the challenges and opportunities presented by falling primary rolls. The toolkit is available at www.teachernet.gov.uk/falling rolls.

Independent Schools

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of pupils aged under 11 years attended independent schools in England in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority area.

Jacqui Smith: The requested information has been placed in the Library.

Independent Schools

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many independent schools taking pupils under the age of 11 years have opened in England in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority area.

Jacqui Smith: The following table shows the number of independent schools, which in part or in full cater for pupils with an age range below 12, opening in each of the last five calendar years in England, by local authority. Independent special schools are included.
	
		
			 Local authority 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005(41) 
		
		
			 Barnet 3 — 2 — — 
			 Barnsley — — 1 — — 
			 Bedfordshire — 1 1 — 1 
			 Birmingham 1 2 2 — 3 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 2 — — — — 
			 Blackpool — — — — 1 
			 Bolton 1 — — — — 
			 Bradford 1 — 4 — 3 
			 Brent 2 — — — — 
			 Brighton and Hove 1 — — — — 
			 Bristol City of — — 2 — 1 
			 Bromley — — 1 — — 
			 Buckinghamshire — — 1 1 — 
			 Bury — — 1 — — 
			 Cambridgeshire — 1 2 — 2 
			 Cheshire 1 — — — — 
			 Cornwall — — 1 — 1 
			 Coventry — — 1 — — 
			 Croydon — — 1 — 1 
			 Cumbria 1 1 1 1 — 
			 Derby — — 1 — 1 
			 Derbyshire 1 — — — — 
			 Devon — 2 2 — — 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire — — 1 1 1 
			 East Sussex — — 2 1 — 
			 Enfield — — 2 — — 
			 Essex — 1 — — 1 
			 Gloucestershire — 1 1 — — 
			 Hackney 2 2 1 — — 
			 Halton 1 — — — — 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham — 1 — — 1 
			 Hampshire — 1 2 — 1 
			 Haringey — — — 1 — 
			 Harrow — — — — 1 
			 Herefordshire 1 — — — 1 
			 Hertfordshire — 1 — 1 2 
			 Hounslow — — 2 1 1 
			 Isle of Wight — — 1 — — 
			 Islington — — — 1 1 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 1 — — 3 2 
			 Kent 1 — 5 2 2 
			 Kingston upon Hull City of — 1 — — — 
			 Kirklees 1 — — — — 
			 Knowsley 1 — — — — 
			 Lambeth — 1 1 — — 
			 Lancashire 3 — 1 1 4 
			 Leeds — — 1 — — 
			 Leicester 2 — 1 — 2 
			 Leicestershire — — 1 — 1 
			 Lewisham 1 — 2 — — 
			 Lincolnshire — 1 1 — 2 
			 Liverpool 1 — 1 — — 
			 Luton — — — 2 — 
			 Manchester — — 3 — 1 
			 Medway — — — 1 — 
			 Merton — — 1 — 1 
			 Middlesbrough — — 1 — — 
			 Milton Keynes — — — 1 1 
			 Newham — — 4 — 1 
			 Norfolk — — 2 — 3 
			 North East Lincolnshire — — — 1 — 
			 North Tyneside — — — — 1 
			 Northamptonshire — — — 1 — 
			 Nottinghamshire — — 1 1 — 
			 Oxfordshire — — 3 1 — 
			 Peterborough — — — 1 — 
			 Plymouth — 1 — — — 
			 Redbridge — — 1 — 1 
			 Richmond upon Thames — — — — 1 
			 Rochdale — — 1 — 1 
			 Rotherham — — 1 — — 
			 Sheffield — — 1 — — 
			 Shropshire 1 — — — — 
			 Slough — — 1 — — 
			 Somerset — — 1 — 3 
			 Southwark — — 1 — — 
			 Stockport — — — — 1 
			 Suffolk — 1 1 — 2 
			 Surrey 1 — 2 — 1 
			 Sutton — — 1 — — 
			 Tameside — 1 — — — 
			 Telford and Wrekin — — 1 — — 
			 Tower Hamlets 1 1 1 1 — 
			 Trafford — — 2 — — 
			 Walsall — — 1 — — 
			 Waltham Forest 1 — 2 — — 
			 Wandsworth 1 — 2 — 1 
			 Warrington — — 1 — — 
			 Warwickshire — — 1 — — 
			 West Berkshire — 1 — — — 
			 West Sussex — 1 2 — 1 
			 Westminster — — — — 1 
			 Wiltshire — — 1 — 1 
			 Wokingham — — 1 — — 
			 Wolverhampton — — 1 — — 
			 Total 34 23 92 24 59 
		
	
	(41)Includes those opening up until 28 November 2005.
	Source:
	The Department's Register of Independent Schools (EduBase).

Investors in People

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what proportion of (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools are (i) accredited as Investors in People and (ii) have been awarded a Charter Mark.

Jacqui Smith: On the basis of information provided by Investors in People UK (IIPUK) 7,511 out of 22,343 primary schools in the United Kingdom are recognised as Investors in People. Approximately 33.6 per cent. of all UK primary schools are recognised as Investors in People.
	2,632 out of 4,230 secondary schools in the United Kingdom are recognised as Investors in People. Approximately 62 per cent. of all UK secondary schools are recognised as Investors in People.
	On the basis of information provided by the Cabinet Office 36 out of 22,343 primary schools in the United Kingdom have achieved the Charter Mark. Approximately 0.16 per cent. of all UK primary schools have achieved the Charter Mark.
	56 out of 4,230 secondary schools in the United Kingdom have achieved the Charter Mark. Approximately 1.3 per cent.

Key Stage Grades

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what grade was necessary for a pupil to achieve a level 4 at key stage 2 in (a) reading, (b) writing, (c) mathematics and (d) science in each year since 1995.

Jacqui Smith: The marks required for a pupil to reach the level 4 threshold in each subject, tested at the end of Key Stage 2, is decided each year by a process, known as level-setting, designed to ensure that the level 4 standard is the same as the previous year's. The level thresholds are published each year on the QCA website. The exact number of marks varies from year to year according to the difficulty of the subject papers. The national curriculum tests have evolved over the years to reflect the curriculum, for example in 1998 mental maths was included in the key stage maths test.
	The following table shows the marks required for a pupil to be awarded a level 4 at Key Stage 2.
	
		
			  English overall Reading Writing Math Science 
		
		
			 1995 (42)n/a (43)n/a (43)n/a 31 37 
			 1996 57 (43)n/a (43)n/a 41 45 
			 1997 52 21 31 40 41 
			 1998 51 20 31 (44)52 42 
			 1999 48 17 31 52 42 
			 2000 49 18 31 50 43 
			 2001 50 19 31 49 39 
			 2002 49 18 31 49 40 
			 2003 44 19 (45)25 45 40 
			 2004 41 18 23 48 39 
			 2005 42 17 25 48 42 
		
	
	(42)In 1995 the overall level was not calculated using a single level threshold. Writing and reading were combined in a two-way table (see following table) to provide an overall level.
	(43)In 1996 there were no separate mark allocations for reading and writing, therefore the level threshold was set for English overall.
	(44)In 1998, a mental mathematics element was introduced into the mathematics test. This increased the total number of marks available and therefore the level thresholds were intentionally raised in 1998.
	(45)In 2003, the model of English writing assessment was changed in order to normalise the distribution. The old model meant that most pupils achieved high marks, which was felt to be an inappropriate way of discriminating between levels. The new model of assessment means that the majority of the pupils are around the middle of the mark range. In order to maintain standards between the two models, the thresholds were intentionally lowered in 2003.
	
		
			 Total mark for Reading task score 
			 writing 0–1 2–10 11–27 28–46 47–58 59–63 
		
		
			 0–3 Level 1 Level 1 Level 2 Level 2 Level 3 Level 3 
			 4–8 Level 1 Level 2 Level 2 Level 3 Level 3 Level 4 
			 9–14 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 3 Level 4 Level 4 
			 15–19 Level 2 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 4 Level 5 
			 20–25 Level 2 Level 3 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 5 
			 26–30 Level 3 Level 3 Level 4 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 
			 31–33 Level 3 Level 4 Level 4 Level 5 Level 5 Level 6

Learning and Skills Council

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many staff employed by the Learning and Skills Council have previously worked in administrative posts in the offender learning sector;
	(2)  how many staff employed by the Learning and Skills Council have previously worked in the offender learning sector.

Bill Rammell: The Learning and Skills Council is responsible for the planning and funding of the Offenders' Learning and Skills Service. The LSC is working in close partnership with the National Offender Management Service, the Prison and Probation Services, Youth Justice Board and Jobcentre Plus and other organisations to deliver our vision that offenders in custody and in the community should, according to need, have access to opportunities which enable them to gain the skills and qualifications they need to hold down a job and to play a positive role in society, so that they are less likely to reoffend. Information about its staff is an operational matter for the LSC. Mark Haysom has written to the hon. Member with further information. A copy of his reply has been placed in the Library.
	Letter from Mark Haysom to Mr. Stephen O'Brien, dated 30 November 2005
	I write in response to your recent Parliamentary Question where you asked the Secretary of State for Education and Skills:
	a) how many staff employed by the Learning Skills Council (LSC) have previously worked in administrative posts in the offender learning sector.
	b) how many staff employed by the LSC have previously worked in the offender learning sector.
	All we can state is that the Offender Learning function when transferred will be adequately resourced. In preparation for the transfer the LSC has appointed in each of its 9 regions and at the national office, dedicated senior postholders with recent experience in the offender learning sector. These Learning and Skills Advisors work closely with the Heads of Learning and Skills employed in every prison in England.
	I trust this is what you require as we have no further information to disclose.

Learning and Skills Council

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make an assessment of the impact of funding decisions by Learning and Skills Councils on adult education provision in (a) 2004–05 and (b) 2005–06.

Phil Hope: The Learning and Skills Council will publish the Statistical First Release for 2004/05 on 8 December (as pre-announced in the Schedule for the Publication of National Statistics) which will show numbers of learners in LSC funded provision. Similar information for 2005/06 will be published in December next year.
	This Government has significantly increased funding for further education (FE) in recent years. Total funding has increased by £1 billion in 2005/06 when compared to 2002/03 which represents a 25 per cent. increase. In 2005/06 total funding for FE has increased by 4.4 per cent. compared to 2004/05. This level of funding will enable us to meet our key priorities for 2005/06 to meet the needs of young people, those lacking literacy, numeracy and English language skills and those seeking a first full Level 2 qualification.
	Funding for non-vocational learning opportunities for adults, delivered mainly through local authority adult education services, has also increased. In 2004/05 we provided over £207 million to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) in support of this learning. This has risento £210 million in 2005/06. The Government is committed to safeguarding the availability of a wide range of learning for personal and community development (previously termed adult and community learning).

Learning Difficulties (Schools)

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools for children with learning difficulties have received a (a) grade 1, (b) grade 2, (c) grade 3, (d) grade 4 and (e) grade 5 rating by Ofsted inspectors in their most recent inspection.

Jacqui Smith: This is a matter for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, David Bell has written to my hon. Friend and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.
	Letter from David Bell, dated 29 November 2005
	Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as her Majesty's Chief Inspector, for reply.
	The table attached shows an analysis of the overall effectiveness judgments for special schools inspected between January 2000 and July 2005. Most special schools (89 per cent.) were inspected in this period. Although all the schools include children with statements of special education need, not all cater solely or mainly for children defined as having learning difficulties; some will include children with physical or sensory disabilities. In addition to the breakdown you asked for, I have also included, for reference, the numbers of schools that were graded 6 or 7 for overall effectiveness.
	
		Overall effectiveness of special schools—January 2000 to July 2005
		
			 Special Schools Number 
		
		
			 Highly effective (grade 1) 41 
			 Very effective (grade 2) 297 
			 Effective (grade 3) 501 
			 Fairly effective (grade 4) 196 
			 Ineffective (grade 5) 34 
			 Very ineffective (grade 6) 15 
			 Very poor (grade 7) 5 
		
	
	Note:
	1.Where schools have been inspected twice during the period 2000 to 2005, only data from the most recent inspection is included.
	2.The framework for inspection changed in September 2003, so the figures contain judgments made under two inspection frameworks.
	3.The table includes 101 schools which have closed since they were inspected.

Local Education Authority Employees

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many individuals are employed by local education authorities; and how many of these are (a) on schools' payrolls and (b) not on schools' payrolls.

Jacqui Smith: The Department collects data on the school work force in England, but not the number of persons employed by local authorities. The latest information available (January 2005) shows that there were 431,900 full-time equivalent teachers and 268,600 full-time equivalent members of support staff working in maintained nurseries and schools in England. These figures include persons employed by local authorities, directly by those maintained schools which employ their own staff, and by third parties.

Local Education Authority Schools (Newcastle)

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will estimate the number of secondary school age children resident in Newcastle who were educated at local education authority sector schools in (a) Northumberland, (b) North Tyneside and (c) Gateshead in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested has been provided in the following table.
	
		Number of secondary age pupils(46) resident in Newcastle-upon-Tyne local authority who attend school in Northumberland, north Tyneside and Gateshead local authorities—2000–05
		
			   2002 2003 2004 2005 
			   Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent 
		
		
			 Northumberland Secondary(47) 494 3.4 483 3.3 488 3.4 509 3.6 
			  Special 3 0.0 10 0.1 11 0.1 8 0.1 
			 North Tyneside Secondary(47) 306 2.1 323 2.2 334 2.3 351 2.4 
			  Special 18 0.1 19 0.1 20 0.1 16 0.1 
			 Gateshead Secondary(47) 141 1.0 147 1.0 151 1.1 162 1.1 
			  Special 0 (48)— (49)— (49)— (49)— (49)— (49)— (49)— 
		
	
	(46)Pupils aged 11 to 15.
	(47)Includes middle deemed secondary, CTCs and academies
	(48)Denotes negligible percentage
	(49)Denotes suppressed value
	Source:
	Annual school census.

Local Education Partnerships

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether a future (a) foundation school and (b) trust school whose land and buildings are under a local education partnership arrangement will have the right (i) to negotiate and (ii) to terminate such an arrangement.

Jacqui Smith: Schools which acquire new foundation or trust status will take on all legal benefits and obligations of the predecessor schools, including where they have received investment through Building Schools for the Future. The new foundation or trust school will inherit any existing contracts agreed by the previous governing body. It will not be able to opt out of contracts it inherits, but will be able to renegotiate existing contracts, including termination, with its private sector provider, where the contractual provisions enable this. Where the authority has entered into a contract on behalf of the school it will require the authority's cooperation.

Management Allowances

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was spent on management allowances in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: The estimated costs of management allowances in England and Wales for the last three years are £770 million in 2002–03, £894 million in 2003–04, and £905 million in 2004–05. These include on costs (employers' contributions for pensions and national insurance).

Management Allowances

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers are in receipt of management allowances.

Jacqui Smith: During 2004–05 an estimated 193,000 full-time equivalent classroom teachers were receiving management allowances in England and Wales.

Public Service Worker Skills

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what criteria were used in making the decision explicity to include improving the skills of workers delivering public services in the Learning and Skills Council's Priorities for Success; and whether this excludes workers delivering private services.

Bill Rammell: Strengthening the skills of the workforce that delivers public services is central to the Government's public service reforms. This was recognised by the Learning and Skills Council in December 2004 in its Annual Statement of Priorities for 2005–06. This was reinforced in Priorities for Success", issued in October this year, which sets out its funding priorities for the next two years. The detailed rationale behind these funding priorities is a matter for the LSC and Mark Haysom, the Council's chief executive, has written to the hon. Member setting out the detail. A copy of his letter has been placed in the House Library.
	Letter from Mark Haysom dated 30 November 2005
	Improving the Skills of Workers Delivering Public Services
	I am writing in response to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, asking what criteria were used in making the decision explicitly to include improving the skills of workers delivering public services in the Learning and Skills Council's Priorities for Success; and whether this excludes workers delivering private services.
	The LSC's Annual Statement of Priorities identifies the key actions to be taken by the LSC in creating a more highly skilled and productive workforce. In 2004, one in five establishments (20%) reported that they employed staff that they considered not fully proficient and over 1.5 million workers are considered to be not fully proficient by their employers, representing 7% cent of the total workforce in England.
	This continues to be one of the biggest challenges for employers, and the actions within the Annual Statement of Priorities are aimed at addressing these issues in all businesses, whether private, public or voluntary. Our work with the public services sector includes workers employed directly in the sector and employees of private organisations sub contracted to the sector, for example in cleaning and catering.
	Improving the skills of workers delivering public services is a separate priority within the Annual Statement because the challenges they face are substantial in comparison with other sectors. In addition, the impact of better investment in skills on the improved delivery of services to the public, and of better targeted joint investment from the public purse are correspondingly significant.
	Our work with the sector on skills needs has identified that whilst the public sector workforce contains more Level 2 and above qualified workers than the private sector, 21% of employees are still without a first full Level 2. Based on 2003/04 Labour Force Survey data, over a million public service workers across a range of sub sectors have therefore not reached the minimum threshold for employability.
	In addition, a NIACE Skills for Life survey identified that 72% of healthcare staff have numeracy skills below Level 2 and 56% have literacy skills below Level 2. Skills for Life therefore remain a key barrier to upskilling the sector workforce and increasing the number of people with employability skills.
	Finally the LSC intends to enable the sector to attract and retain apprentices and new entrants in the workforce. The sector is characterised by an aged and aging demographic profile that does not match the profile of the communities that it serves. Currently, however, levels of participation in Apprenticeships are low compared to other sectors, with less than 10% of all Apprentices readily identifiable as working in public services.
	It is our intention, working across Government, to secure a joint investment plan for meeting skills needs in the sector. We will progress this work in conjunction with our range of activities detailed in the Annual Statement of Priorities that support employers and employees in any business, including the roll out of the National Employer Training Programme (NETP) which will better equip us to meet the skills needs of all employers by offering them real choice and flexibility in the training available to them.
	I hope that this information is helpful, and demonstrates the LSC's commitment to both targeted action with public services and to our broader work to address the skills needs of employees in all sectors.

Qualifications (Newcastle)

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of working age people were (a) qualified to (i) graduate level, (ii) level 4, (iii) level 2 and (b) without qualification in Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central in each year from 1992.

Phil Hope: The table shows analysis of the level of highest qualification held by the working age population in the parliamentary constituency of Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central at (a) qualified to (i) graduate level, (ii)level 4, (iii) level 2 and (b) without qualification. Data comes from the local labour force survey. Data at parliamentary constituency level is not available prior to 1999.
	
		Percentage
		
			  1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 Qualification level   
			 Graduate level (50)27 (50)32 28 30 31 32 
			 Level 4 and higher, exc. graduates   7 5 6 4 
			 Level 3 17 22 18 21 17 19 
			 Trade Apprenticeships(51) 10 7 7 7 5 4 
			 Level 2 11 11 11 13 10 9 
			 Below level 2 11 8 9 8 10 9 
			 Other qualifications(52) 11 7 7 6 6 10 
			 No qualifications 13 13 12 10 15 14 
		
	
	(50)Data identifying graduates only, is not available for 1999–2000 or 2000–01.
	(51)For the purposes of target measurement people with trade apprenticeships as their highest qualification are assigned to level 3 and level 2 in the ratio of 50:50.
	(52)Qualifications that cannot be assigned directly to levels. For the purposes of target measurement, people with other qualifications as their highest qualification level are assigned to level 3: level 2: below level 2 in the ratio of 10:35:55.
	Notes:
	Columns may not sum to 100 per cent. due to rounding. Working age people are defined as males and females aged 16 to 64 and 16 to 59 respectively.

Race Equality Impact Assessments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many Race Equality Impact Assessments her Department completed between (a) April 2004 and March 2005 and (b) April 2005 and November 2005; and how many assessments in each period resulted in a change of policy.

Jacqui Smith: The Department for Education and Skills' commitment not to discriminate unfairly on any grounds is set out clearly in our recently revised equality and diversity policy, which recognises that everyone should have an equal opportunity to meet their aspirations, realise their full potential and improve their life chances.
	This means that equality and diversity is the responsibility of everyone in the Department and is an ever evolving commitment mainstreamed within the normal course of business. It is therefore not possible to identify the number of Race Equality Impact Assessments (REIAs) which have been undertaken within specified periods as this information is not held centrally and it would involve disproportionate cost to collect.
	Under the Race Relations Amendment Act we as a Department are required to publish a triennial Race Equality Scheme and an associated annual action plan. The Race Equality Scheme was published in May 2005 and annex 1 of the publication details a summary of impact assessments.
	We continue to be proactive in this area by working with our major programme boards to build a stronger evidence based strategy to address race equality challenges and to ensure that all staff continue to be aware of their responsibilities.

School Finance

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of (a) capital and (b) revenue investment in schools which have received private sector investment in the last five years is accounted for by private sector investment of each type.

Jacqui Smith: The proportion of (a) capital and (b) revenue investment, in schools which have received private sector investment in the last five years, which is accounted for by private sector investment of each type, is set out as follows.
	Except as noted, virtually all capital investment in schools over the period 2000–01 to 2005–06 is estimated to be publicly funded. While no records are kept centrally on local initiatives to generate private sector funding, these are believed to be small scale. Regarding the Academy programme, where the first school opened in 2002, private sector sponsors contribute up to around £2 million towards an average cost of £25 million. Sponsors of Voluntary Aided Schools contribute 10 per cent. towards capital costs.
	The proportion of revenue funding from private sources to all maintained schools and academies for the period 2000–01 to 2005–06 has been relatively constant. Accordingly, although data collection in its current form only commenced in 2002–03, and figures have yet to be compiled for the current year, it is most likely that private funding will be less than 3 per cent. throughout this period. This is made up of income provided to the schools from foundation, diocese or other trust funds, business sponsorship, fund-raising activities, and voluntary contributions from parents.

School Nursing

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps her Department is taking to encourage school nurses to develop their work in (a) the classroom and (b) health promotion.

Jacqui Smith: The recently published Schools White Paper recognises the value of school nursing and notes that school nurses can play a critical role in supporting schools to promote good health. School nurses are already active partners in helping schools achieve Healthy School status. We have recently produced a new guide for schools detailing the criteria for Healthy School status. The guide recognises the importance of schools involving professionals from appropriate external agencies such as school nurses to support and improve personal, social and health education (PHSE) delivery. DfES is also supporting with Department of Health, the PSHE certificate for both teachers and school and community nurses.
	In addition, officials from my Department have been working closely with the Department of Health on work to increase the capacity of school nurses both in terms of numbers and the development of their child-centred public health role in line with the Choosing Health commitments. We intend to publish two documents arising from this work:
	Looking for a School Nurse?"—modelled on an earlier document published by the DfES (on school bursars). This guide is aimed at head-teachers, setting out both the advantages, and some of the practical considerations, that head-teachers would need to be aware of in terms of having a school nurse either on-site or assigned to a school or cluster of schools; and
	An update of the School Nurse Development Pack" (first published by DH in 2001) to outline the principles of a modern role and to enable school nurses to expand their knowledge, skills and competencies.

School Sport

Michael Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 2 November 2005, Official Report, column 1197W, on school sport, how many secondary schools have disposed of a sports pitch in the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: The number of approved applications to dispose of an area of school playing field capable of forming at least a small sports pitch in England in each of the last five years is as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2000/01 28 
			 2001/02 29 
			 2002/03 19 
			 2003/04 13 
			 2004/05 11 
		
	
	The numbers of above applications that involve the loss of an area of land capable of forming at least a small sports pitch at a secondary school or special school in England in each of the last five years is as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2000/01 15 
			 2001/02 14 
			 2002/03 15 
			 2003/04 8 
			 2004/05 7 
		
	
	Of the total 59 approved applications at secondary and special schools, 21 concerned redundant playing fields at closed schools that were not wanted by any other local schools.

Science A-levels

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils gained an A-Level in (a) chemistry, (b) physics and (c) mathematics or further mathematics in each year since 1990.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested on 16 to 18 1 -year-olds passing GCE A Levels 1993–2005 1 can be found in the following table.
	1 Age at the start of the academic year.
	2 The number of students passing A Levels in specific subjects is not available prior to 1993.
	
		
			  Chemistry Physics Mathematics(53) 
		
		
			 2004/05(54) 32,151 23,012 44,736 
			 2003/04 31,072 23,426 44,344 
			 2002/03 29,833 24,890 42,439 
			 2001/02 30,705 26,089 41,624 
			 2000/01 31,004 25,167 47,970 
			 1999/2000 32,142 25,350 47,943 
			 1998/99 32,476 26,588 49,770 
			 1997/98 33,067 26,461 50,196 
			 1996/97 31,929 25,449 49,254 
			 1995/96 29,964 24,506 47,172 
			 1994/95 29,629 25,185 43,978 
			 1993/94 28,318 25,403 42,900 
			 1992/93 27,651 26,315 42,050 
		
	
	1Includes those achieving mathematics and/or further mathematics A Levels.
	(53)2005 figures are provisional.

Special Educational Needs

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether children with special educational needs have a statutory right to express a preference for a place at an academy over a school maintained by a local authority.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 29 November 2005
	Parents have a right to make representations to the local authority (LA) for an academy (an independent school) to be named in their child's statement of special educational needs. When this happens and the LA proposes to name the academy, under the terms of the academy's funding agreement it must consent to being named except
	where admitting the child would be incompatible with the efficient education of other children and no reasonable steps may be made to secure compatibility".
	An academy's independent status, does not affect parents' rights to appeal to the SEN and disability tribunal.

Specialist Schools

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  if she will list the subjects in which specialist schools may select by aptitude.;
	(2)  how many and what proportion of specialist schools select a portion of their pupils by aptitude in a subject.

Jacqui Smith: Specialist schools are bound by the School Admissions Code of Practice. Under legislation there is provision for schools with a specialism to select up to 10 per cent. of students by aptitude in the relevant subjects. Modern foreign languages, performing or visual arts (including music), physical education, design and technology and information technology are prescribed subjects for this purpose. The Government informed the Education Select Committee in November 2004 that regulations would be amended to prohibit new selection in design and technology and information technology while allowing schools already using such selection to continue to do so. A consultation on these proposed regulations closed on 18 October.
	We believe relatively few specialists select by aptitude—our figures suggest that less than 6 per cent. of schools that were specialist in summer 2001 did so.

Specialist Schools

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of specialist schools she estimates will adopt trust status under the proposals in the White Paper, Higher Standards, Better Schools for All.

Jacqui Smith: It will be for individual schools to decide whether to change category to become trust schools. The Government has not set targets for the number of trust schools.

Specialist Schools

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools are specialist schools; and how many she estimates will become specialist by the beginning of the academic year 2006–07.

Jacqui Smith: There are currently 2,380 designated specialist schools out of 3,385 maintained secondary schools in England. By September 2006 we expect over 80 per cent. of maintained secondary schools in England to have a specialist designation subject to applicant schools meeting the required standards of the Specialist Schools Programme.

Student Numbers

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students in year 7 and above attend each middle and secondary schools in Newcastle upon Tyne, including independent schools in each year since 2000–01; and how many of these were insixth forms at each school.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 28 November 2005
	The available information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Maintained secondary schools and independent schools: number (headcount) of pupils, pupils aged 11 and above(54) and pupils in a sixth form, schools in Newcastle upon Tyne local authority -- Position as at January each year
		
			  2001 2002 2003 
			   Of which:  Of which:  Of which: 
			  Total pupils Aged 11 to 19 Number of pupils in sixth form(55)(5508460056) Total pupils Aged 11 to 19 Number of pupils in sixth form(55)(5508460056) Total pupils Aged 11 to 19 Number of pupils in sixth form(57)(5508460058) 
		
		
			 Middle Deemed Secondary Schools:  
			 Chapel Park Middle School 358 178 0 351 178 0 355 177 0 
			 Chapel House Middle School 456 222 0 460 230 0 464 232 0 
			 Throckley Middle School 339 173 0 339 174 0 337 169 0 
			 Gosforth Central Middle School 500 246 0 504 252 0 508 253 0 
			 Gosforth West Middle School 467 238 0 427 247 0 394 243 0 
			 Gosforth East Middle School 468 234 0 466 234 0 466 237 0 
			 Denton Park Middle School 268 144 0 204 147 0 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Chevyside Middle School 221 103 0 162 105 0 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Lemington Middle School 437 225 0 371 215 0 319 195 0 
			   
			 Maintained Secondary Schools:  
			 West Denton High School 466 466 40 408 408 0 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Gosforth High School 1,502 1,502 432 1,529 1,529 461 1,572 1,572 470 
			 Walbottle Campus Technology College 1,418 1,418 217 1,430 1,430 226 1,392 1,392 225 
			 Walker Technology College 1,338 1,337 160 1,325 1,325 167 1,298 1,298 156 
			 Benfield School 838 837 69 819 819 69 870 870 84 
			 Kenton School 1,960 1,960 264 1,967 1,967 247 1,980 1,980 257 
			 Heaton Manor School 1,823 1,823 290 1,864 1,864 328 1,906 1,906 359 
			 West Gate Community College 1,400 1,400 132 1,452 1,452 103 1,509 1,509 120 
			 St. Mary's Catholic Comprehensive School 1,042 1,042 164 1,051 1,051 144 1,061 1,061 138 
			 St. Cuthbert's High School 1,099 1,099 181 1,109 1,109 181 1,087 1,087 171 
			 Sacred Heart High School 1,261 1,261 243 1,264 1,264 197 1,313 1,313 214 
			 Firfield Community School 410 410 0 303 303 0 n/a n/a n/a 
			 All Saints College n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 977 977 38 
			   
			 Independent Schools:  
			 Newcastle-upon-Tyne Church High School 630 355 84 617 343 90 607 340 (60)— 
			 La Sagesse School 377 251 63 341 237 69 288 199 (60)— 
			 Newcastle Preparatory School 314 24 0 321 19 0 330 29 (60)— 
			 Akhurst Private School 154 (59)— 0 173 3 0 158 (59)— (60)— 
			 Westfield School 354 209 46 357 212 53 368 227 (60)— 
			 Ascham House School 261 16 0 276 21 0 281 23 (60)— 
			 Newcastle School for Boys 196 44 0 186 32 0 164 18 (60)— 
			 Eastcliffe School 137 91 0 128 87 0 122 83 (60)— 
			 Central Newcastle High School 983 647 162 993 650 158 1,003 664 (60)— 
			 Dame Allan's Boys' School 508 442 99 495 433 119 485 429 (60)— 
			 Dame Allan's Girls' School 435 378 93 438 382 93 424 380 (60)— 
			 Royal Grammar School 1,063 918 260 1,099 953 289 1,127 981 (60)— 
			 Talbot House Special School 39 39 0 41 41 0 n/a n/a (60)— 
		
	
	
		Position as at January each year
		
			  2004 2005 
			   Of which:  Of which: 
			  Total pupils Aged 11 to 19 Number of pupils in sixth form(57)(5508460058) Total pupils Aged 11 to 19 Number of pupils in sixth form(57)(5508460058) 
		
		
			 Middle Deemed Secondary Schools:   
			 Chapel Park Middle School 327 171 0 243 176 0 
			 Chapel House Middle School 420 224 0 307 225 0 
			 Throckley Middle School 311 166 0 236 173 0 
			 Gosforth Central Middle School 507 249 0 504 247 0 
			 Gosforth West Middle School 365 220 0 347 226 0 
			 Gosforth East Middle School 466 236 0 463 232 0 
			 Denton Park Middle School n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Chevyside Middle School n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Lemington Middle School 189 138 0 n/a n/a n/a 
			
			 Maintained Secondary Schools:   
			 West Denton High School n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Gosforth High School 1,572 1,572 468 1,625 1,625 513 
			 Walbottle Campus Technology College 1,360 1,360 231 1,394 1,394 221 
			 Walker Technology College 1,241 1,241 157 1,214 1,214 157 
			 Benfield School 943 943 119 949 949 94 
			 Kenton School 1,930 1,930 233 1,985 1,985 282 
			 Heaton Manor School 1,933 1,933 397 1,944 1,944 393 
			 West Gate Community College 1,466 1,466 112 1,444 1,444 85 
			 St. Mary's Catholic Comprehensive School 1,056 1,056 159 1,018 1,018 151 
			 St. Cuthbert's High School 1,082 1,082 171 1,100 1,100 180 
			 Sacred Heart High School 1,315 1,315 237 1,337 1,337 246 
			 Firfield Community School n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 All Saints College 987 987 75 949 949 48 
			 Independent Schools:   
			 Newcastle-upon-Tyne Church High School 579 326 (60)— 558 333 (60)— 
			 La Sagesse School 252 164 (60)— 262 164 (60)— 
			 Newcastle Preparatory School 310 40 (60)— 278 29 (60)— 
			 Akhurst Private School 117 (59)— (60)— n/a n/a n/a 
			 Westfield School 353 217 (60)— 364 220 (60)— 
			 Ascham House School 294 20 (60)— 280 19 (60)— 
			 Newcastle School for Boys 152 33 (60)— 156 38 (60)— 
			 Eastcliffe School 111 75 (60)— n/a n/a n/a 
			 Central Newcastle High School 995 664 (60)— 961 638 (60)— 
			 Dame Allan's Boys' School 467 419 (60)— 500 441 (60)— 
			 Dame Allan's Girls' School 423 380 (60)— 421 382 (60)— 
			 Royal Grammar School 1,139 993 (60)— 1,119 979 (60)— 
			 Talbot House Special School n/a n/a (60)— n/a n/a n/a 
		
	
	n/a=Not applicable. School not open.
	(54)Age as at 31 August the previous year.
	(55)A school is classified as having a sixth form if there are 8 or more pupils aged 16 and eight or more pupils aged 17.
	(56)Pupils aged 16 to 19 in a school sixth form.
	(57)A school is classified as having a sixth form if there are 1 or more pupils in National Curriculum Year Group 12,13 or 14.
	(58)Pupils in National Curriculum Year Groups 12,13 and 14. Information not available for independent schools.
	(59)Less than 3 pupils.
	(60)Not available.
	Source:
	Annual Schools' Census

Teachers

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average salary of (a) state school and (b) city academy teachers was in 2004–05.

Jacqui Smith: In March 2004, the latest information available, it is provisionally estimated that the average salary of full-time regular teachers in maintained sector schools was £31,680.
	No reliable figures are available to estimate the average salary of teachers employed in city academies that were open in March 2004.

Teachers

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what proportion of black and minority ethnic teachers (a) retired and (b) resigned from each London secondary school in each year since 1997;
	(2)  what percentage of teachers in each secondary school in each London borough were of a black and minority ethnic background in each year since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not collected centrally.
	Information on the minority ethnic background of teachers is not available at school level or by phase of education. Information at local authority level for January 2005 was published in SFR41/2005 on 28 September 2005. A copy of this publication has been placed in the House of Commons Library. Alternatively it is available at the following URL: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000603/index.shtml

Teachers

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of the number of teachers in receipt of management allowances who will not qualify for a teaching and learning responsibility payment; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: Following reviews of their staffing structures, it will be for individual schools to determine whether teachers currently holding Management Allowances meet the criteria for Teaching and Learning Responsibility payments. Reviewing staffing structures will build on work force reform to help ensure that teachers focus on teaching and leading teaching and learning.

Teachers

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what percentage of teachers had remained in the profession after (a) two, (b) five and (c) 10 years in the last period for which figures are available;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the teacher retention rate in state schools in England.

Jacqui Smith: The latest information available relates to March 2004. It shows that an estimated 80 per cent. of full and part-time regular qualified teachers were still in service in 2004 after entering the maintained sector service for the first time between two and three years previously. The equivalent figure for those entering between five and six years earlier was 74 per cent; and for those entering between 10 and 11 years earlier, 60 per cent.
	Many teachers take a break from service at some stage and return later, and many take a break fairly early in their career. Figures show that in 2003–04, 26 per cent. of all entrants were returning to service, and of these over a third had accrued less than five years service before their break. In addition to those on a break, an unknown number will be in teaching service outside of the English maintained sector.
	In January 2005 the full-time equivalent number of teachers in service was 32,700 higher than in 1997. There are now more teachers in service than in any year since 1981.

Teachers

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) parents and (b) pupils have been prosecuted for attacks on teaching staff in each of the last 10 years; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The requested information is not collected centrally.

Vocational Training

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the effects on industry of vocational training in (a) Tamworth and (b) Staffordshire.

Phil Hope: The Department is committed to ensuring that everyone has the skills he or she needs to be employable and personally fulfilled. Our 14–19 and Skills White Papers set out our strategies for ensuring that education and training meets the needs of employers.
	The Staffordshire Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is responsible for the effective planning and funding of learning to raise the skills of the workforce and the potential workforce. It engages through the year with providers and employers to ensure that provision matches employer skills demands.
	Progress has already been made in improving the availability and quality of relevant vocational skills training to support local employers and local people:
	The LSC funded National Employer Skills Survey 2003 (NESS 2003) showed that Staffordshire was in line with the West Midlands and England in having just 4 per cent. of employers reporting skill shortage vacancies.
	NESS 2003 also showed that Staffordshire LSC had a lower proportion of employers reporting hard to fill" vacancies at 14 per cent. compared to West Midlands (16 per cent.) and England (17 per cent.).
	With regard to barriers to developing staff, just 13 per cent. of Staffordshire LSC employers quoted a lack of suitable courses compared to 18 per cent. nationally.
	The data for NESS 2005 is due to be released before the end of December and Staffordshire LSC plans to monitor progress as soon as the data is validated and made available.
	Separate information for Tamworth is not available.

Westgate College, Newcastle

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of students achieved five or more A* to C grade GCSEs at Westgate College, Newcastle in (a) the three years before Newcastle city council announced that it was to be closed and replaced by a city academy and (b) 2005.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 28 November 2005
	The information for the three years prior to the announcement in November 2004 are given in the following table. Figures for 2005 are not available at school level until the publication of the School and College Achievement and Attainment Tables in January 2006.
	
		Number and proportion of 15-year-olds(61) achieving 5+ A*-C grades at GCSE and equivalent(62)at West Gate Community College(63)
		
			  Number of 15-year-olds achieving 5+ A*-C at GCSE and equivalent Percentage of 15-year-olds achieving 5+ A*-C at GCSE and equivalent 
		
		
			 2004 75 32 
			 2003 54 21 
			 2002 31 14 
		
	
	(61)15-year-old pupils at the beginning of the academic year (ie31 August).
	(62)Figures are for GCSE and equivalent qualifications for 2004. All previous years are for GCSE/GNVQ only.
	(63)Newcastle city council issued a press release on 17 November 2004 stating the intention for an Academy to replace West Gate Community College.